Amazing Race: Watch Video and Join the Ultimate Fan Community - CBS.com

Amazing Race: Watch Video and Join the Ultimate Fan Community - CBS.com

The Amazing Race is one of the few television shows I find the time for. As my house has the best reception in the family, my regular "groupies" make the pilgrimage each week for my Race parties. Nothing extravagant, really. A simple dinner and I try to have an activity to keep Rebecca occupied and entertained while her parents watch the show. For those of you who wonder, Dave, my brother-in-law tapes the show so I can watch it after they go. Tonight, we made pumpkin shaped mini-cakes, then decorated them.

As the theme music builds, excitement and adrenaline start pumping in my veins. When each team is flashed on the screen during the opening credits, we will either pause or scream, "OUT" as loud as we can to "honor" those who have fallen at the end of previous episodes. We mourn those we liked, but lost and cheer those we didn't care for, but are still in. This season, we especially like mocking the dumb blond ladies who just can't seem to read their clues. Sometimes I wonder how they were ever approved for the show, but then remember a certain demographic (not gay men, mind you) are interested in watching pretty blonds run about, even if they lack intelligence. Too bad many decisions are made based on what it will do to the ratings.

I found this link (above) to watch a clip and join the shows fan club. I haven't yet, but will. I love the Amazing Race because it takes me to places I'll never visit. For other places, I'm curious to see what it looks like, but am really glad to not be there personally (like all the places with snakes) . My family may not approve, but if you are a cute boy who wants to come over for my Race parties, please do. The more the merrier.

The real one? She's here? Uh, oh.

Thanks, Josh, for finding this SNL sketch. In classic "Steven" fashion, I fell asleep 15 minutes before this aired. Let's just say that darn couch got me again. =) Enjoy.

A little sarcasm in the morning...

Please help put an end to discrimination.

Some joke that homosexuals have the right to get divorced just like everyone else. Some say gay marriage will never work because homosexuals are all over-sexed slutty whores who can't commit to one person. Or that they really don't want it in the first place. Others contend allowing gay marriage would be an end to society as we know it because the traditional family would be destroyed. To all of these comments, I say, "NONSENSE."

Yes, some gays are promiscuous, but we do not have a corner on the market. Straight infidelity is so common that many popular motion pictures have been made about the subject. Unfaithful with Diane Lane and Richard Gere for one and Fatal Attraction with Michael Douglas and Glenn Close for another.

My point is that much of the argument against marriage equality is based on false stereotypes and fear. Gays have "earned" the reputation for sleeping around because there hasn't been a marriage option for them. By not allowing gay marriage, society is telling gays it is not only ok to have shallow relationships, but expects them to sleep around since commitment is for straights.

I have personally met many gay couples who have fought against these societal expectations and have been together, loving each other for years. Good friends of mine, Ron and Todd, for example, recently traveled to California (a trip that shouldn't have been necessary) to get married. They have been together for 14 years. They are just as happy as any newlyweds I've met. Since being allowed by the California Supreme Court, thousands of gay couples have flocked to get married there. If allowed to continue as married couples (meaning if Prop 8 is defeated), will some of them eventually get divorced? Probably. But then again, divorce among the straight community is just about 50%. The gay couples I've met (and the homosexuals who have yet to meet that someone special) yearn for equality. They yearn for a time when they are not treated differently just because of who they are attracted to and love.

If gays were allowed to marry, would the traditional definition of family be destroyed? No. It would be expanded to understand that there are differences in our society. In the recent past, it was thought that women needed to stay home and clean all day while the men went off to work. After a long, hard-fought struggle, women are now respected in the workplace as being just as capable as their male counterparts. As a society, we have found that women are no different from men in making business decisions and running companies. The traditional family definition of the 1950's has certainly changed, but families still move forward. Should we ever go back to the June Cleaver and Lucy Ricardo world? No. The family dynamic has changed, but for the better. The same can be said for gays who want to marry and start a family through adoption or other means. Family means people who love and support each other where their financial and other resources are pooled for the betterment of each other. This can apply to gays and straights alike. Every child should have a loving home to grow up in and it really shouldn't matter if that home has a mom and a dad or two dads or two moms. Love is the important key.

Please stop discrimination. If you are in California, please vote NO on prop 8. If you are outside of California, please do what you can to stomp out discrimination of all types. Thank you.

To be fair, a pro-Palin commentary

Is it possible to be pro-Palin, but anti-McCain?
Golly these fellers' r funny. They made me laugh.
Hope you enjoy this as well.

The Birds...

Did you ever see that scary Alfred Hitchcock movie, "The Birds" where a town is suddenly host to an aviary convention? The birds in that film lined the fences, the electric wires, even the school's playground jungle gym, but more importantly wanted a bit more than to poop on people's freshly washed cars. The image of a lady running and screaming down the street being harassed and ultimately overtaken by a large raven (I always thought it was a crow)haunted my childhood. Every so often when out enjoying nature, large birds will still make me duck my head and shiver in fright fearing it will come peck my brains out like that unfortunate woman. Alfred Hitchcock sure did know how to make fictional movies that scared me. Or maybe it wasn't based on fiction at all?

Yesterday, I was huddling inside my cozy house thinking I should probably start cleaning or doing something clever when I looked outside and gasped in horror. Take a look for yourself...

The birds also lined the fences that boarder the backyards of the houses on my street, but those pictures didn't turn out. Yes, Josh, they were blurry. =( In fact, most of my pictures don't turn out. I think it must be the camera. =)


These birds were not large, but their vast numbers were a bit intimidating. It was bitter cold outside and I kept hoping they were just stopping by for a rest on their way to St. George. I guess not. Many of the birds are still there today. Did they see how plump and delicious I would be when I walked my garbage to the dumpster way down the street? Maybe they are stalking my every move and will be reporting back to the really big birds who missed their chance to peck my brains out the last time we met. Don't know for sure, but images of those "When animals attack" television shows kept flashing through my mind.

I lived if any of you wondered. Today, that is. =)

The "real" McCain

"I can see Russia from my house..."

"I'd like to use one of my life lines..."

Another great example of a good laugh that scares me.

But what about the talent competition?

Except for the really scary part if it came true, sometimes I think it would be fun for McCain to win so we could continue to see Tina Fey as a spot-on Sarah Palin. Unfortunately, this is the real world and getting a good laugh now and then is not a reason to elect someone vice-president. Sorry SNL writers/producers, if may mean having to stretch a little farther, but the country needs Obama.

Kirkham, no mo'

Weddings are not where I typically like to hang out and spend my rainy Saturday afternoons. They depress me for one and the awkward social interaction makes me so claustrophobic that it physically becomes difficult to breathe. In the "old" days, I dreaded going to weddings because there was always a nosy relative I haven't seen in years who inevitably asked the question, "When are we going to come to one of these for you?" or the even worse, "We know the perfect girl for you." I honestly feel the most alone when I'm in a crowd of people.

Still, for as much as I dislike weddings, I enjoyed going yesterday to celebrate Kim and Travis' marriage. It was a simple affair with white and purple (I'm not allowing myself to type lavender) decorations tactfully strewn around the room. While I first had my doubts about what to wear to a wedding held at the local fitness center, it really was beautiful and comfortably casual. (It did NOT hurt knowing that strong, muscular men were working out and showering just a few feet away. Yes, I'm that gay!)

I thought the cake was especially beautiful with purple flowers and white boarders. The cake table had a nice arrangement of crystal, wedding mints and purple napkins. The table accents were simple, yet elegant.

Kim has been my co-worker, my boss and my friend for much of the four and a half years I've been in Guest Relations. On more than one occasion, she has seen more potential in me than I've been able to see in myself. Kim was largely responsible for landing me the promotion for my current job and has frequently been my number one supporter. It will be sad to no longer use KK as my quick code in Outlook, but then again, when is Kim and Travis' wedding about me? I'll just have to get used to Kim Worthen. Change is never easy, but for a friend like Kim, I'm willing to sacrifice (typing KW will require two hands). =)

A note about my gift, just in case Kim ever reads this: Yes, I went with Pyrex. How can you go wrong with Pyrex? It can go from freezer, to fridge, to oven, to microwave, to dishwasher. This set included lids for ease in bringing goodies to work potlucks and such. Since I'm frequently at work and always like to share (except drinks, hugs with women and fruit), I thought it the perfect gift. Kim, if you don't think so, instead of trying to return it to the Wal Mart store, just give it to me and I'll give you the cash. My opinion: One can NEVER have enough Pyrex.


Thanks, Kim and Travis, for allowing me to take part in your wonderful, rain-filled wedding day.