You know that so-called warming of the oceans we call El Nino? It was supposed to strengthen and keep the Pacific Northwest a bit drier than normal.
Good news for those of us here in Portland and Seattle, the Child (as it's translated en ingles) has weakened.
It has rained almost every. Single. Goddamned. Day since...oh, about two to three weeks ago.
And it doesn't look the faucet will be turned anytime soon. More rain is forecasted for the rest of the week- save for, perhaps, Saturday- and most of next week.
I know that it's typical rain season from October to June around here, but isn't the rain supposed to taper off a bit? After all, we get most of the rain in November and December- at least, it'd been that way since I've moved here about 10 years ago.
I know that we need the rain, kids, but it's starting to get a bit ingrating. I'm used to sunshine, warm temperatures...sunbathing (sometimes in the buff), and enjoying the Pacific Ocean.
Since I'm leaving this rain forest soon- I'm moving to Los Angeles, by way of Houston (research for a TV pilot project I'm developing. I'll tell you about it in due time)- I think that I need to stop "Singing in the Rain", and start singing "I'm Walking On Sunshine/Oh yeah!..." Just picture myself basking in the warmth, wsith my muscles and body gleaning in suntan lotion, getting the perfect tan (yeah, black folks get tans, too!).
Just block out the rain for a bit longer, and enjoy the sun.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
CNN.com
ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports Widget
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
I'll Go For a Long-Term Relationship (Just Don't Expect To Move Into My Place, nor Expect Me to Say 'I Do' Again)
Ten years ago, as I've mentioned several times, I got married on the 23rd floor of the Franklin County Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio.
Just as quickly as that marriage began, it had ended. When she threw me out, I packed my bags west to Portland, Oregon (via Cincinnati).
Of course, the woman I've talked a bit about, the ex-wife, Mary ( in earlier entries, named under the alias of 'Leah') is now dead. She's been dead for several years. End of discussion there.
Now, when I married Mary, I was in no fucking way ready for a marriage. After all, I was still sowing my wild oats- at the time with members of both sexes- and what not. When she kicked me out, it was a celebration galore! No more fights OR arguments. Just me, and the open road from there on out!
The thing here is the fact that I'm never, never, NEVER EVER getting married again. Sure, I'll go for a long term cohabitation, but if she's starts pressuring me to give her an engagement ring, well, all I can say is "don't let the door smack you on the ass on your way out." (I could throw her off the balcony, but I doubt very seriously the DA or the judge will accept 'fear of commitment' as a defense in a court of law...). I tried the marriage bit. It doesn't work for me! The idea of being tied down to one woman 'til death do us part is a little unsettling for me. And divorce these days, costly (even for Donald Trump. And with bankruptcy laws being stringent these days, suicide may seem like the more pleasant alternative after all...).
Besides, I like the flexibility cohabitation- or in some states, common-law marriage- has. Besides the fact that both can jump out anytime they want, they can also see other people if it's not working out (of course, this helps if the cohabiting couple have their own places of residences. Otherwise, things could get pretty damn sticky). And not having that noose of marriage- let alone engagement- strangling me means that, that means that I don't have to hold account to anyone, anything, anyhow!
Besides, if it doesn't work out, there's always dating different women- even be like Hugh Hefner and have numerous girlfriends at once (Of course, I'd probably need the equivalent of Hugh's bank account, but what the hell! I was never the one-woman type anyway). Now THAT I can work with!
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Just as quickly as that marriage began, it had ended. When she threw me out, I packed my bags west to Portland, Oregon (via Cincinnati).
Of course, the woman I've talked a bit about, the ex-wife, Mary ( in earlier entries, named under the alias of 'Leah') is now dead. She's been dead for several years. End of discussion there.
Now, when I married Mary, I was in no fucking way ready for a marriage. After all, I was still sowing my wild oats- at the time with members of both sexes- and what not. When she kicked me out, it was a celebration galore! No more fights OR arguments. Just me, and the open road from there on out!
The thing here is the fact that I'm never, never, NEVER EVER getting married again. Sure, I'll go for a long term cohabitation, but if she's starts pressuring me to give her an engagement ring, well, all I can say is "don't let the door smack you on the ass on your way out." (I could throw her off the balcony, but I doubt very seriously the DA or the judge will accept 'fear of commitment' as a defense in a court of law...). I tried the marriage bit. It doesn't work for me! The idea of being tied down to one woman 'til death do us part is a little unsettling for me. And divorce these days, costly (even for Donald Trump. And with bankruptcy laws being stringent these days, suicide may seem like the more pleasant alternative after all...).
Besides, I like the flexibility cohabitation- or in some states, common-law marriage- has. Besides the fact that both can jump out anytime they want, they can also see other people if it's not working out (of course, this helps if the cohabiting couple have their own places of residences. Otherwise, things could get pretty damn sticky). And not having that noose of marriage- let alone engagement- strangling me means that, that means that I don't have to hold account to anyone, anything, anyhow!
Besides, if it doesn't work out, there's always dating different women- even be like Hugh Hefner and have numerous girlfriends at once (Of course, I'd probably need the equivalent of Hugh's bank account, but what the hell! I was never the one-woman type anyway). Now THAT I can work with!
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
My Grandma's a Child Molester?
Quick! When you think of child molesters- not that many of us would dwell on such cretins every waking moment- what type of people usually come to mind?
I'd bet that it's usually a male, about 13 to late 50s, or even their 60s. While there has been cases of child rapos being over the age of 70, or even 80, those are rare in and of themselves.
What's even rarer are cases where the over-70 molester is female. After all, women are considered victims of any sexual attack. But as cases such as mary Kay Letourneau- who later married her victim- it shows that women, too, can be the perpetrators (they just do a better job committing the crime, and hiding it).
Which makes the case of 84-year-old Georgie Audean Buoy, of The Dalles, Oregon, all the more stunning.
In the case that stunned the Columbia River Gorge city of 12,000, and some 80 miles east of Portland, a little over a year and a half ago, Mrs. Buoy had an 11-year-old boy in her foster care. Her husband of 45 years was still alive, but going through health problems (the husband has since died). As the husband slept, Mrs. Buoy and the boy would stay up late, watch TV. She hugged him- nothing wrong with that. That's what grandmothers do, right?- then kissed him. Again, nothing wrong with that. Though when I was 11 and my grandmother kissed me, I usually cringed (that's what many 11 year old kids do when their grandmothers kisses them. Why is that anyway? I could never figure that out...anyway...). Only those kisses turned into tongue wrestling, and the nest thing, the boy was in bed with Mrs. Buoy, and had sexual intercourse with her.
Okay...the 11-year-old boy banging an 82-year-old woman...I just can't see it. (Hell, I still can't see myself banging someone 60 and over, yet I did that- had sex with a 60 year old woman. Only difference between this case and mine was that I was 37 when I did the 60 year old. Which brings me to this...). Mrs. Buoy had any eligible bachelor- 18 and over, of course- in The Dalles to choose from. Hell, she could've hit on me, a 39-year-old blogger from Portland (I would've made the 80 mile drive to make her happy. Her mug shot shows that she's not a bad looking broad)
But an 11-year-old, grandma? Ewwww!
Thursday, Mrs. Buoy pleaded guilty to first degree attempted sexual abuse. she had faced first degree rape, and first- and second-degree sex abuse, but those were dropped as part of the plea bargain. Had those charges stayed, the now 14-year-old boy would have testified. She faced 200 months- a little over 17 years- in prison, but since she never had a prior arrest/conviction, and likely, her age, she only gets three years, is ordered to pay $5,000 to her victim- that'll take a bite out of her social security checks- and $7,500 in restitution for counseling. Plus, in addition to now being Oregon's oldest prison inmate, she'll also become one of Oregon's oldest registered sex offenders.
Of course, it has me asking questions:
Did dementia take a demonic turn?
Did her estrogen levels decide to rise back up- or did they never leave in the first place?
She did mention that she was lonely, but her dear husband was still alive. And even if he did have to live on oxygen until his dying day, I'm sure that if his doctor gave his/her okay, Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra would have been prescribed, and no doubt there would be nights of afterglow...hmmm...
This story has stunned the hell out of me, that's for damn sure. I'm still at a loss for words when it comes to describe the actions of Mrs. Buoy.
The news account from The Dalles Chronicle can be accessed by clicking on the title.
Additional stories are available at http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1171605441246780.xml&coll=7
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
I'd bet that it's usually a male, about 13 to late 50s, or even their 60s. While there has been cases of child rapos being over the age of 70, or even 80, those are rare in and of themselves.
What's even rarer are cases where the over-70 molester is female. After all, women are considered victims of any sexual attack. But as cases such as mary Kay Letourneau- who later married her victim- it shows that women, too, can be the perpetrators (they just do a better job committing the crime, and hiding it).
Which makes the case of 84-year-old Georgie Audean Buoy, of The Dalles, Oregon, all the more stunning.
In the case that stunned the Columbia River Gorge city of 12,000, and some 80 miles east of Portland, a little over a year and a half ago, Mrs. Buoy had an 11-year-old boy in her foster care. Her husband of 45 years was still alive, but going through health problems (the husband has since died). As the husband slept, Mrs. Buoy and the boy would stay up late, watch TV. She hugged him- nothing wrong with that. That's what grandmothers do, right?- then kissed him. Again, nothing wrong with that. Though when I was 11 and my grandmother kissed me, I usually cringed (that's what many 11 year old kids do when their grandmothers kisses them. Why is that anyway? I could never figure that out...anyway...). Only those kisses turned into tongue wrestling, and the nest thing, the boy was in bed with Mrs. Buoy, and had sexual intercourse with her.
Okay...the 11-year-old boy banging an 82-year-old woman...I just can't see it. (Hell, I still can't see myself banging someone 60 and over, yet I did that- had sex with a 60 year old woman. Only difference between this case and mine was that I was 37 when I did the 60 year old. Which brings me to this...). Mrs. Buoy had any eligible bachelor- 18 and over, of course- in The Dalles to choose from. Hell, she could've hit on me, a 39-year-old blogger from Portland (I would've made the 80 mile drive to make her happy. Her mug shot shows that she's not a bad looking broad)
But an 11-year-old, grandma? Ewwww!
Thursday, Mrs. Buoy pleaded guilty to first degree attempted sexual abuse. she had faced first degree rape, and first- and second-degree sex abuse, but those were dropped as part of the plea bargain. Had those charges stayed, the now 14-year-old boy would have testified. She faced 200 months- a little over 17 years- in prison, but since she never had a prior arrest/conviction, and likely, her age, she only gets three years, is ordered to pay $5,000 to her victim- that'll take a bite out of her social security checks- and $7,500 in restitution for counseling. Plus, in addition to now being Oregon's oldest prison inmate, she'll also become one of Oregon's oldest registered sex offenders.
Of course, it has me asking questions:
Did dementia take a demonic turn?
Did her estrogen levels decide to rise back up- or did they never leave in the first place?
She did mention that she was lonely, but her dear husband was still alive. And even if he did have to live on oxygen until his dying day, I'm sure that if his doctor gave his/her okay, Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra would have been prescribed, and no doubt there would be nights of afterglow...hmmm...
This story has stunned the hell out of me, that's for damn sure. I'm still at a loss for words when it comes to describe the actions of Mrs. Buoy.
The news account from The Dalles Chronicle can be accessed by clicking on the title.
Additional stories are available at http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1171605441246780.xml&coll=7
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Is South Los Angeles The Next 'Hot' Area?
Months before the eve of the 15th anniversary of the South Los Angeles riots- over the verdict that acquitted four officers who beat motorist Rodney King the year before- there's building going on in South L.A. (still known in some circles by its' former name, South Central).
Pockets of this largely African-American community, south of the LA city center, are seeing apartments and condos being built. And some of the people who are building these units are current and former gang members.
In the article from the Christian Science Monitor that's linked here, South LA is becoming a new 'hot' area for the housing market, mainly because other areas throughout LA have peaked in housing. With recent news that the housing market may be slowing down a bit, South LA could buck the trend.
No one's crying gentrification yet, but no doubt, some can't help but wonder when will this longtime enclave of mostly black and Latino residents become, well, as white as Wonder(R) bread. Will improving the area be at the price of a more diverse populace?
One can't help but wonder. Hopefully, the black residents of South LA will embrace and contribute to the improvement of the area, as oppose to lament it.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Article, Copyright 2005, by Christian Science Monitor, Inc.
Pockets of this largely African-American community, south of the LA city center, are seeing apartments and condos being built. And some of the people who are building these units are current and former gang members.
In the article from the Christian Science Monitor that's linked here, South LA is becoming a new 'hot' area for the housing market, mainly because other areas throughout LA have peaked in housing. With recent news that the housing market may be slowing down a bit, South LA could buck the trend.
No one's crying gentrification yet, but no doubt, some can't help but wonder when will this longtime enclave of mostly black and Latino residents become, well, as white as Wonder(R) bread. Will improving the area be at the price of a more diverse populace?
One can't help but wonder. Hopefully, the black residents of South LA will embrace and contribute to the improvement of the area, as oppose to lament it.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Article, Copyright 2005, by Christian Science Monitor, Inc.
Love is Still SOOO Scary (But I'm Willing to Give It a try)
There is this young lady- no names, please- that I've recently met. She's a student at Portland State University, and we have seemed to kind of hit it off.
Of course, it's way too early to say that we have a love connection, let alone a...I guess, for the lack of better words, a budding friendship. But I do think highly of this young lady.
If this 'love connection' is to happen, I have to break out of my shyness; get something that resembles a life- you know, travel the world; learn (or in some cases, re-learn) some musical instruments and languages. (sure, I'm doing this in part, to impress her. But I'm doing this also because it's time for myself to learn new skills- and two, as I've been mentioning ad nauseum forever, I turn 40 in July).
Right now, all I can do is visualize, and dream about her. Perhaps, if I stick with this, something will happen. Perhaps, with a little work- and a bit of imagination- it'll turn out quite fine.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Of course, it's way too early to say that we have a love connection, let alone a...I guess, for the lack of better words, a budding friendship. But I do think highly of this young lady.
If this 'love connection' is to happen, I have to break out of my shyness; get something that resembles a life- you know, travel the world; learn (or in some cases, re-learn) some musical instruments and languages. (sure, I'm doing this in part, to impress her. But I'm doing this also because it's time for myself to learn new skills- and two, as I've been mentioning ad nauseum forever, I turn 40 in July).
Right now, all I can do is visualize, and dream about her. Perhaps, if I stick with this, something will happen. Perhaps, with a little work- and a bit of imagination- it'll turn out quite fine.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
The Threat to the Black Race: Being Gay or Lesbian
A little over a week ago, former NBA star, John Amaechi, came out as a gay man. He mentions this in a forthcoming book Man in the Middle, which will be released this month by ESPN Books.
Wednesday, former Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway mentioned on Miami sports station WAXY-AM that he "hates gay people." He later apologized for the remark.
Of course, not too long ago, Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington called co-star TR Knight a "faggot" after the latter came out as gay. Washington has since apologized, and is going through therapy.
There is this longstanding animosity toward being gay and lesbian in the black community. After all, there is the 'on the down low' bit with 'brothas' secretly sleeping with men, while at the same time, putting on the facade of being the straight- and oftentimes homophobic- boyfriend or husband. And of course, there's the religious aspect. What with Biblical scriptures in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, and New Testament book of 1 Corinthians, there's that fear of going to hell, or being denied living forever on a paradise Earth. In many cases, when the truth eventually comes out, marriages, engagements, and family relationships are destroyed. All because when the person comes out, the family disowns her/him.
It's also this denial of one's sexual orientation that plays a part in this clash of race and sexual preference.
I know firsthand of this. About 12 years ago, when I considered myself bisexual, I told my mother, who is a Jehovah's Witness. She told me that she'll love me, but she won't like me. That, to me, meant that she didn't love me for what I was at the time. And, of course, when I married Mary in May 1997, she said openly to both Mary and myself that she was glad that I wasn't "one of those freaks." (I've since declared myself heterosexual, or straight. But when Mary and I split up three months later, I had continued seeing people of both sexes. The jumping back and forth bit ended about seven years ago. And I decided that I was straight without the help of those so-called 'ex-gay' ministries, and I sure as hell didn't have my dear mother's help in the matter...sorry for the soliloquy...).
Until we in the African-American community address this issue- hopefully, in a more civilized manner- this will continue to be an issue that stays on hair trigger alert.
Until we in the community can embrace our family members as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, I'm afraid that this could further strain relations between the LGBT and black community- and possibly destroy the black community from within.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, former Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway mentioned on Miami sports station WAXY-AM that he "hates gay people." He later apologized for the remark.
Of course, not too long ago, Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington called co-star TR Knight a "faggot" after the latter came out as gay. Washington has since apologized, and is going through therapy.
There is this longstanding animosity toward being gay and lesbian in the black community. After all, there is the 'on the down low' bit with 'brothas' secretly sleeping with men, while at the same time, putting on the facade of being the straight- and oftentimes homophobic- boyfriend or husband. And of course, there's the religious aspect. What with Biblical scriptures in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, and New Testament book of 1 Corinthians, there's that fear of going to hell, or being denied living forever on a paradise Earth. In many cases, when the truth eventually comes out, marriages, engagements, and family relationships are destroyed. All because when the person comes out, the family disowns her/him.
It's also this denial of one's sexual orientation that plays a part in this clash of race and sexual preference.
I know firsthand of this. About 12 years ago, when I considered myself bisexual, I told my mother, who is a Jehovah's Witness. She told me that she'll love me, but she won't like me. That, to me, meant that she didn't love me for what I was at the time. And, of course, when I married Mary in May 1997, she said openly to both Mary and myself that she was glad that I wasn't "one of those freaks." (I've since declared myself heterosexual, or straight. But when Mary and I split up three months later, I had continued seeing people of both sexes. The jumping back and forth bit ended about seven years ago. And I decided that I was straight without the help of those so-called 'ex-gay' ministries, and I sure as hell didn't have my dear mother's help in the matter...sorry for the soliloquy...).
Until we in the African-American community address this issue- hopefully, in a more civilized manner- this will continue to be an issue that stays on hair trigger alert.
Until we in the community can embrace our family members as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, I'm afraid that this could further strain relations between the LGBT and black community- and possibly destroy the black community from within.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Love Is SOOO Damn Scary!
I have a confession to make.
I'm commitment-phobic.
Yes, I have a morbid fear of committed relationships- serious relationships, if you will. The demands of each significant other knowing each others' secrets; and on occasion, changing habits. And don't forget, if you stay long enough, you may feel that noose around your neck called "let's get engaged." Or worse, "marry me, or else."
"Look, hon, I love you, but not enough to marry you. I gotta hit the road before the pressure gets to me."
I know the marriage vows say 'for better or for worse', but considering my marital history, I'd prefer to just stay out of the sea called marriage. Instead, I'll just see different women- preferably in different cities (and I'd better add in 'different states' to that...even 'different countries' sounds nice...)- engaging what Dan Savage, Savage Love columnist (and editor of the Seattle Stranger, sister publication of the Portland Mercury) calls NSA sex- NO STRINGS ATTACHED!
I wrote several articles ago about being held harmless of what happens after the act/one-night stand, etc. ends. You know, if the bitch is pregnant, I don't know anything about it. Kind of like that disclaimer in Mission: Impossible that says, "Should you or any member of your IMF team get captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions." That's me right there. Should the bitch get preggers after I leave, I have absolutely no knowledge. For all I know, she's carrying someone else's child.
BUT WHAT IF I DO WANT A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP?
Then, son, you'd better know what the hell you're getting into. After all, like I said, being in a relationship is like being under a microscope, every fucking day and night! "where you've been?" "Who's that bitch you were talking to?" What's that perfume I smell?"
See where I'm going with this?
It's better for me to have several women on the side, with no strings attached. Of course, I can always get new babes just in case the ones I have are, well, unavailable. After all, I have my car, a full tank of gas, and an entire weekend to just party. After all, life's a bit too short to just cry over some barstool, filling my beer with tears.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
I'm commitment-phobic.
Yes, I have a morbid fear of committed relationships- serious relationships, if you will. The demands of each significant other knowing each others' secrets; and on occasion, changing habits. And don't forget, if you stay long enough, you may feel that noose around your neck called "let's get engaged." Or worse, "marry me, or else."
"Look, hon, I love you, but not enough to marry you. I gotta hit the road before the pressure gets to me."
I know the marriage vows say 'for better or for worse', but considering my marital history, I'd prefer to just stay out of the sea called marriage. Instead, I'll just see different women- preferably in different cities (and I'd better add in 'different states' to that...even 'different countries' sounds nice...)- engaging what Dan Savage, Savage Love columnist (and editor of the Seattle Stranger, sister publication of the Portland Mercury) calls NSA sex- NO STRINGS ATTACHED!
I wrote several articles ago about being held harmless of what happens after the act/one-night stand, etc. ends. You know, if the bitch is pregnant, I don't know anything about it. Kind of like that disclaimer in Mission: Impossible that says, "Should you or any member of your IMF team get captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions." That's me right there. Should the bitch get preggers after I leave, I have absolutely no knowledge. For all I know, she's carrying someone else's child.
BUT WHAT IF I DO WANT A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP?
Then, son, you'd better know what the hell you're getting into. After all, like I said, being in a relationship is like being under a microscope, every fucking day and night! "where you've been?" "Who's that bitch you were talking to?" What's that perfume I smell?"
See where I'm going with this?
It's better for me to have several women on the side, with no strings attached. Of course, I can always get new babes just in case the ones I have are, well, unavailable. After all, I have my car, a full tank of gas, and an entire weekend to just party. After all, life's a bit too short to just cry over some barstool, filling my beer with tears.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Compared To Much of the Country, We're Paradise
It's Carnival season down in New Orleans. Parades are set to take place this weekend- mainly the krewes of Endymion; Orpheus: Zulu; and the granddaddy of them all, Rex.
But a tornado that roared through at around 2:00AM (Central Time, Midnight Pacific Time) this morning, those Mardi Gras celebrations may be dampened. Parts of New Orleans are damaged after a tornado ripped through the area. No serious injuries were reported.
While the New Orleans tornado threatened Mardi Gras, in parts of the Midwest, snow continues to be a big issue. Parts of Illinois; Ohio and Indiana are under blizzard warnings, as blowing and drifting snow, followed by high winds bury areas such as Toledo, Ohio; Springfield and Urbana-Champaign, Illinois; and Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Even though it's been raining off and on here in the Pacific Northwest, compared with much of the country, we're enjoying tranquility. Barring, say, an earthquake of, say a Richter (scale) of 7, I think we'll be sipping on pina coladas. Albeit under umbrellas and Columbia Sportswear jackets.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
But a tornado that roared through at around 2:00AM (Central Time, Midnight Pacific Time) this morning, those Mardi Gras celebrations may be dampened. Parts of New Orleans are damaged after a tornado ripped through the area. No serious injuries were reported.
While the New Orleans tornado threatened Mardi Gras, in parts of the Midwest, snow continues to be a big issue. Parts of Illinois; Ohio and Indiana are under blizzard warnings, as blowing and drifting snow, followed by high winds bury areas such as Toledo, Ohio; Springfield and Urbana-Champaign, Illinois; and Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Even though it's been raining off and on here in the Pacific Northwest, compared with much of the country, we're enjoying tranquility. Barring, say, an earthquake of, say a Richter (scale) of 7, I think we'll be sipping on pina coladas. Albeit under umbrellas and Columbia Sportswear jackets.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Thank You,Your Honor! You've Just Signed Jody's Death Warrant
Last week, I talked about a friend of mine, Jody Keener. Jody's been dealing with alcohol problems- due in part to the events of September 11, 2001.
Jody was facing a year in jail for assaulting the director of a program called Operation: Nightwatch here in Portland, Oregon (last week, I gave her an alias to protect her identity. I will not reveal the true identity or even the alias here).
Today, Jody got credit for time served, and two years probation. However, he got the stipulation that if he's caught drinking- or even have the appearance of being drunk, he will go to jail.
This verdict is pretty sad, because by his own admission, Jody needs help dealing with his drinking. With the judge leaving Jody left to his own devices, it's now only a matter of time before Jody will be dead- either by the hand of someone, or by his own hands by means of excessive drinking. It's sad because I really like Jody, even if he's a bit loud and obnoxious at times. He's really a nice guy- albeit a bit paranoid that people are mad at him. But when he's sober, he's an okay guy.
I'll give it less than six months time left for Jody. Less than six months from this day, I'll be attending the funeral of Jody Lance Keener, dead at 37. All because a judge decided to trust Jody with his own judgment.
Prepare for your last rites, Jody. And you can thank a judge for that.
Jody was facing a year in jail for assaulting the director of a program called Operation: Nightwatch here in Portland, Oregon (last week, I gave her an alias to protect her identity. I will not reveal the true identity or even the alias here).
Today, Jody got credit for time served, and two years probation. However, he got the stipulation that if he's caught drinking- or even have the appearance of being drunk, he will go to jail.
This verdict is pretty sad, because by his own admission, Jody needs help dealing with his drinking. With the judge leaving Jody left to his own devices, it's now only a matter of time before Jody will be dead- either by the hand of someone, or by his own hands by means of excessive drinking. It's sad because I really like Jody, even if he's a bit loud and obnoxious at times. He's really a nice guy- albeit a bit paranoid that people are mad at him. But when he's sober, he's an okay guy.
I'll give it less than six months time left for Jody. Less than six months from this day, I'll be attending the funeral of Jody Lance Keener, dead at 37. All because a judge decided to trust Jody with his own judgment.
Prepare for your last rites, Jody. And you can thank a judge for that.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Anna Nicole Smith, 1967-2007
cyberjae/YouTube/CNN
I'm shocked to learn that model and actress Anna Nicole Smith has died.
She collapsed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Attempts to revive her by CPR had failed. She was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead, a bit after 2:00PM Eastern Time (11:00AM Pacific Time). Her death happened just months after her 20-year-old son Daniel died in the hospital room on September 10, 2006- just three days after she gave birth to daugter Daniellynn Hope Smith.
The woman born Vicki Lynn Marshall on November 28, 1967 (about four months after the birth of this blogger) modeled for Guess? jeans. She had her own TV series on E! Entertainment Television (The Anna Nicole Show), strugged with weight problems; was a Playmate of the Year by Playboy; and was married thrice- she was 17 when she gave birth to Daniel, and then there's that well-publicized (to death, it seemed) marriage to oil billionaire J. Howard Marshall (no relation to Smith's birth name or family), which lasted 13 months until Marshall's death in 1995. Smith was 26, Marshall, 89. After Marshall's death, Smith and E. Pierece Marshall- Howard marshall's son- sqauared off in legal proceedings. She lost the two proceedings. (E. Pierce Marshall died last June at 67). She married her personal attorney Howard K. Stern (no relation to the shock jock) weeks after her daughter's birth and son's death.
(however, with no proof of a marriage license, the ceremony- and marriage- is not legally binding).
When Daniellynn was born, two men- Stern mentioned that the two were in love for some time. However, Larry Birkhead, entertainment photojournalist, begged to differ. Both claimed to be Daniellynn's father. However, Bahamian birth records show that Stern is the father.
Details are still developing on this tragic, sudden death of this international superstar.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
All (Straight) Married Couples MUST Have Children- Or Else!
An initiative in Washington State would require able-bodied married heterosexual couples to have children within three years, or else, it's subject to annulment.
Initiative 957 was filed by Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance, a group that seeks equal marital rights for same sex couples. It has been accepted by Sashington Secretary of state Sam Reid.
It needs 224,880 valid signatures to get onto the November 2007 ballot. The group wants 280,000 in case a number of the signatures are invalid. If this makes the ballot, voters will decide whetherable-bodied married couples will be required to procreate (you know, have children) or no.
Now, don't get me wrong. I defend same sex marriage, and I believe that same sex couples have the right to marry, just as opposite sex couples currently can do. But this initiative, I-957, is the wrong way of going about the matter. Requiring a heterosexual married couple to conceive a child within a frame of time is at worst draconian. To put it bluntly, it is selfish, and will further hurt the support for same sex marriage. I would much prefer that they, the same sex couples, use the 'power-of-attorney' method for benefits; hospital visitation; adoption, etc.
But please, don't force heterosexual couples to have a child they may not be ready for. After all, there is no time table on when the couple will be ready to conceive.
For more information, go to http://www.wa-doma.org/Default.aspx . For the story from KGW-TV, Portland, Oregon, just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Initiative 957 was filed by Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance, a group that seeks equal marital rights for same sex couples. It has been accepted by Sashington Secretary of state Sam Reid.
It needs 224,880 valid signatures to get onto the November 2007 ballot. The group wants 280,000 in case a number of the signatures are invalid. If this makes the ballot, voters will decide whetherable-bodied married couples will be required to procreate (you know, have children) or no.
Now, don't get me wrong. I defend same sex marriage, and I believe that same sex couples have the right to marry, just as opposite sex couples currently can do. But this initiative, I-957, is the wrong way of going about the matter. Requiring a heterosexual married couple to conceive a child within a frame of time is at worst draconian. To put it bluntly, it is selfish, and will further hurt the support for same sex marriage. I would much prefer that they, the same sex couples, use the 'power-of-attorney' method for benefits; hospital visitation; adoption, etc.
But please, don't force heterosexual couples to have a child they may not be ready for. After all, there is no time table on when the couple will be ready to conceive.
For more information, go to http://www.wa-doma.org/Default.aspx . For the story from KGW-TV, Portland, Oregon, just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Requiem for Jody Lance Keener; Paris Utters the 'N' and 'F'-Bombs
Sometimes people can be so damn stupid. I'll talk about two of them. One you don't know, but he deserves to be picked on nonetheless. The other, a well known socialite who is an heiress to an upscale hotel chain.
JODY KEENER: HE'S ONLY MEAN WHEN HE DRINKS
I have a friend here in Portland, Oregon by the name of Jody Lance Keener. He's a couple years younger than myself, but in some respects, may be mistaken for being slightly older. The reason so is because he constantly drinks to excess. Two incidents over the last year may have sealed his fate- or rather, one particular incident which I'll touch base on in a moment.
Last summer, Jody was hospitalized for liver problems, I think (I'll have to ask him again). He almost died. And it probably would have been better had he met his maker than to have done what I'll talk about next.
Last November or December, Jody was drunk- as usual. Now, he may growl a bit, get a little boisterous, but usually not harm anyone physically.
This particular night was different.
Now to set up this story, I must mention this place called the Julia West House. JWH is an outreach arm of the First Presbyterian Church here in Portland, and is the home of Operation: Daywatch and Operation: Nightwatch. Both offer hospitality for the homeless and poor, and operates about six days a week (Daywatch Monday- Wednesday, and Friday; and Nightwatch on Thursday- Saturday). Nightwatch also does monthly outings to places around Oregon and Southwest Washington. Until this incident, Jody would hang with myself and others, and would benefit from the services both Daywatch and Nightwatch would offer. A woman by the name of Sarah* is the director of Nightwatch, and she's a very spiritual woman- she doesn't watch TV, hardly keeps up with current events. In other words, her own private Mayberry, if you will.
But one night- a Friday, in fact- last November or December (I forgot exactly when), Jody was drunk- again, as usual. Jody got out of control- as he's apt to do sometimes- and from that point, things got very ugly.
Sarah tried to get Jody under control, even him ordered to leave.
Jody struck Sarah in the face, then ran out of JWH to Southwest 13th.
About two weeks later, he was arrested and charged.
Recently, he pled no contest to assault in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor (reference: http://www.leg/state.or.us/99orlaws/sess1000.dir/1073ses.html ). Jody's facing a year in lockup, but Sarah may ask for more. I don't know.
Jody's sentencing is next Monday at the Multnomah County Courthouse or the Multnomah County Justice Center. I may attend the hearing. If so, I'll give you the closing details on Jody.
PARIS, PARIS, PARIS! SHE'S ONLY RACIST AND HOMOPHOBIC WHEN SHE DRINKS: Paris Hilton. What hasn't that bitch done? Parties like there's no tomorrow; doesn't wear underwear (why am I not around when she's sans underwear? Damn!). Drives drunk. She probably ate her chihuahua Tinkerbell in one of her all night benders (I pray for little Bit Bit).
Well, true believers, while acts of jackassery from Paris may not be so unusual, the following may keep the African-American and gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender communities away from the Hilton family of Hotels for quite awhile.
On the Black America Web and Eurweb websites, there exists a story on Ms. Hilton- and her slightly saner younger sisiter Nicky- attending a house party. The incident was videotaped by a partygoer. In the tape, both sisters allegedly called a male dancer a "faggot". Then, about 3 minutes into this video, Paris approaches the camera and says "We're like two niggers," as she laughs. Obviously, that'll do wonders for that recently rekindled friendship with Nicole Ritchie.
Then at about 3:55 (three minutes, fifty-five seconds), she vents about a run-in with a woman at a party. She refers the woman as a "fuckin' hoodlum, broke, poor bitch from, like, Compton..."
Click on the title for the full story. (Note: the video was removed from YouTube due to terms of use violation).
Sure, we must forgive both parties for their actions, but both must realize that they are accountable for their actions. Jody Keener says he doesn't remember that night when he struck Sarah- and it's very possible that he blacked out when he struck her. And when people who are chemically dependent are blacked out, they oftentimes don't remember what happened. Still, it's no excuse what he did last fall. As for Paris, she's young, sure, and her partying habits have been known for sometime. I can't exactly let her off the hook for uttering racist and homophobic language, but considering her crazy little shenanigans, none of us should be even surprised. After all, she'll likely apologize, say that she was drunk, and go into rehab- only to go on her next bender next weekend.
What would we expect from a bratty, helium-voiced upscale hotel heiress?
*not her real name. The name has been given an alias to protect the identity of the woman.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
JODY KEENER: HE'S ONLY MEAN WHEN HE DRINKS
I have a friend here in Portland, Oregon by the name of Jody Lance Keener. He's a couple years younger than myself, but in some respects, may be mistaken for being slightly older. The reason so is because he constantly drinks to excess. Two incidents over the last year may have sealed his fate- or rather, one particular incident which I'll touch base on in a moment.
Last summer, Jody was hospitalized for liver problems, I think (I'll have to ask him again). He almost died. And it probably would have been better had he met his maker than to have done what I'll talk about next.
Last November or December, Jody was drunk- as usual. Now, he may growl a bit, get a little boisterous, but usually not harm anyone physically.
This particular night was different.
Now to set up this story, I must mention this place called the Julia West House. JWH is an outreach arm of the First Presbyterian Church here in Portland, and is the home of Operation: Daywatch and Operation: Nightwatch. Both offer hospitality for the homeless and poor, and operates about six days a week (Daywatch Monday- Wednesday, and Friday; and Nightwatch on Thursday- Saturday). Nightwatch also does monthly outings to places around Oregon and Southwest Washington. Until this incident, Jody would hang with myself and others, and would benefit from the services both Daywatch and Nightwatch would offer. A woman by the name of Sarah* is the director of Nightwatch, and she's a very spiritual woman- she doesn't watch TV, hardly keeps up with current events. In other words, her own private Mayberry, if you will.
But one night- a Friday, in fact- last November or December (I forgot exactly when), Jody was drunk- again, as usual. Jody got out of control- as he's apt to do sometimes- and from that point, things got very ugly.
Sarah tried to get Jody under control, even him ordered to leave.
Jody struck Sarah in the face, then ran out of JWH to Southwest 13th.
About two weeks later, he was arrested and charged.
Recently, he pled no contest to assault in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor (reference: http://www.leg/state.or.us/99orlaws/sess1000.dir/1073ses.html ). Jody's facing a year in lockup, but Sarah may ask for more. I don't know.
Jody's sentencing is next Monday at the Multnomah County Courthouse or the Multnomah County Justice Center. I may attend the hearing. If so, I'll give you the closing details on Jody.
PARIS, PARIS, PARIS! SHE'S ONLY RACIST AND HOMOPHOBIC WHEN SHE DRINKS: Paris Hilton. What hasn't that bitch done? Parties like there's no tomorrow; doesn't wear underwear (why am I not around when she's sans underwear? Damn!). Drives drunk. She probably ate her chihuahua Tinkerbell in one of her all night benders (I pray for little Bit Bit).
Well, true believers, while acts of jackassery from Paris may not be so unusual, the following may keep the African-American and gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender communities away from the Hilton family of Hotels for quite awhile.
On the Black America Web and Eurweb websites, there exists a story on Ms. Hilton- and her slightly saner younger sisiter Nicky- attending a house party. The incident was videotaped by a partygoer. In the tape, both sisters allegedly called a male dancer a "faggot". Then, about 3 minutes into this video, Paris approaches the camera and says "We're like two niggers," as she laughs. Obviously, that'll do wonders for that recently rekindled friendship with Nicole Ritchie.
Then at about 3:55 (three minutes, fifty-five seconds), she vents about a run-in with a woman at a party. She refers the woman as a "fuckin' hoodlum, broke, poor bitch from, like, Compton..."
Click on the title for the full story. (Note: the video was removed from YouTube due to terms of use violation).
Sure, we must forgive both parties for their actions, but both must realize that they are accountable for their actions. Jody Keener says he doesn't remember that night when he struck Sarah- and it's very possible that he blacked out when he struck her. And when people who are chemically dependent are blacked out, they oftentimes don't remember what happened. Still, it's no excuse what he did last fall. As for Paris, she's young, sure, and her partying habits have been known for sometime. I can't exactly let her off the hook for uttering racist and homophobic language, but considering her crazy little shenanigans, none of us should be even surprised. After all, she'll likely apologize, say that she was drunk, and go into rehab- only to go on her next bender next weekend.
What would we expect from a bratty, helium-voiced upscale hotel heiress?
*not her real name. The name has been given an alias to protect the identity of the woman.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, February 02, 2007
California, No Doubt About It!
May 1, 2007.
It's au revoir, Portland, hello, Los Angeles.
The decision's been made, and I'm sticking with it. After ten years of living in Moscow on the Willamette (Stumptown; Raintown; etc), it's time for me to move on. IN advance, I want to thank everyone who have made my stay the best that it's been. Through the good times, the bad...the ugly, even, it's been one hell of a ride.
It's not a complete goodbye to Portland, but since I seek to work in the (entertainment) industry, it's a must that I move to Los Angeles.
I'm doing house hunting now- I'm looking at Santa Monica as the primary residence. By summer- definitely by my birthday (July 31)- I'll have a new home, definitely a car, SUV in the driveway, and will have taken -at least informal- filmmaking/digital filmmaking classes. How's that for a fortieth birthday present?
No doubt, the surroundings will be different, a bit faster paced. I'm preparing for this life at the speed of meteors by doing many things. I'll talk about this over the coming days and months.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
It's au revoir, Portland, hello, Los Angeles.
The decision's been made, and I'm sticking with it. After ten years of living in Moscow on the Willamette (Stumptown; Raintown; etc), it's time for me to move on. IN advance, I want to thank everyone who have made my stay the best that it's been. Through the good times, the bad...the ugly, even, it's been one hell of a ride.
It's not a complete goodbye to Portland, but since I seek to work in the (entertainment) industry, it's a must that I move to Los Angeles.
I'm doing house hunting now- I'm looking at Santa Monica as the primary residence. By summer- definitely by my birthday (July 31)- I'll have a new home, definitely a car, SUV in the driveway, and will have taken -at least informal- filmmaking/digital filmmaking classes. How's that for a fortieth birthday present?
No doubt, the surroundings will be different, a bit faster paced. I'm preparing for this life at the speed of meteors by doing many things. I'll talk about this over the coming days and months.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
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