Posts Tagged ‘general housekeeping’
Some site stats that I think are fun
January 10th, 2010Been blog free for a few days
September 1st, 2009Looking for a job is a full-time job, so blogging will be a bit light, but I will still be posting. Thanks.
OK, I’m still cold
August 25th, 2009I have not adjusted to the change in weather yet. I was used to the 95 degrees in Madrid. I even grew to like it. Now, I can’t get warm. I originally moved to SF years ago because I hated hot weather.
I’m sure I’ll adjust again, but yikes!
Almost Settled in The New Piso
July 8th, 2009
Yesterday was quite the day. I finally moved into the new apartment (piso) and couldn´t be happier. I finally have enough windows to have an actual breeze come through the house. It´s been more than 90 degrees everyday for weeks upon weeks and the old studio was like an oven. Even better, the new place has air conditioning, but actually didn´t need it. Jake, my dog, loved the park next door. He hasn´t been on the grass for months. There´s a part where I can actually let him safely off leash, and he was thrilled. As always he is a nervous wreck about the move, but we had a fun walk from the old place to the new one. We walked through the Puerta de Sol and the Plaza Mayor so he is getting in a lot of his siteseeing.
The place is semi-furnished, but I do need to by a couch. No TV so far, but I may break down. My visa is only good for a couple more months and you are never really sure how long you´ll be able to stay, so I don´t want to spend that much.
Fortunately, the old kidney stones were not bothering me yesterday. Today is a different matter. Wierd, maybe my body just knew I had to haul stuff yesterday and couldn´t take a break because of pain.
Moving Day
July 7th, 2009Blogging will be light today as I’m moving to a new apartment. Moving via taxi is a little nuts but more than adequate. Spent much of yesterday in the Emergency Room (turned out I’ve kidney stones – ouch) and I will compare the experience to the US sometime very soon.
Happy Fourth USA! Happy Gay Pride Madrid!
July 4th, 2009
Holiday Thoughts:
- What in the world is Sarah Palin thinking? Has there ever been a politician who has self-destructed so completely, so quickly, in our lifetimes? I, like others, expect there is much more to this than we know.
- North Korea has launched 7 rockets in the last few days.
- As I’ve said before, I was never a worshipper of the Michael Jackson machine, so perhaps this isn’t a surprise, but I think all the media attention has been way over the top. He was also a likely serial child abuser.
- I’m rooting for Andy Roddick today. I have never really taken a shine to that other Roger guy, and without my Rafa, what else can I do?
- Best quote on the Palin fiasco by David Waldman, who after noting how many things Palin has quit without finishing, said: But then again, this was someone who probably winked because she couldn’t commit to finishing a blink.
- Unbelievable news from India. I’ve been there once (to the state of Kerala) and it is a pretty homophobic place. But the people there couldn’t be kinder or nicer. It will be interesting to see how India changes in the next few years. I had a long talk on my trip there with someone who is excited by the changes that economic growth and globalism is bringing, but terrified about how it will change the traditions, which he felt it was bound to do.
- Sweden took over the EU Presidency for its six-month rotation. Here’s what to expect. Spain will follow in January for its six months.
- Happy to hear that the Community of Madrid (the provincial level government) and Madrid city hall will finally begin contributing to the promotion of LGBT tourism.
- After being back in Madrid for seven days of record heat above 95 degrees, I bought ice for the first time in my life.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Just Yikes
June 18th, 2009
Zzzzz
I was out for most of the day running errands and getting ready for my trip to San Francisco tomorrow and enjoying another (really hot) day in Madrid. It was wonderful. I signed the lease for my new apartment, which is located a stone’s throw from the Royal Palace (the biggest in Europe – the Palace, not my apartment) and came home to walk the dog and clean the house.
I quickly fired up the ol’ Mac and took a swing around the intertubes and I gotta tell ya, sometimes you just need to take a break. In fifteen minutes I read:
- Barney Franks doesn’t think the DOJ DOMA brief was so bad
- Bush’s NSA spied (accidently) on Bill Clinton
- Holder will not prosecute domestic spying violations
- Bush spoke out against Obama on Gitmo
- There now appears that a pro-choice nominee for a sub-cabinet position was successfully filibustered (not really, just threatened – nowadays you just need to say there might be a filibuster) by the Republicans because she is pro-choice
- There is now a permanent 60 vote supermajority needed for EVERYTHING in the US Senate/snark
- The public health care option is hanging by a thread because it doesn’t have 60 votes
- The Republicans are going to carry out their own Iran policy
- North Korea is planning on firing a missile towards Hawaii
- Convicts have no right to DNA tests
- and PETA is very upset that the president killed a fly.
Had enough? I’m going for a walk and taking a break. Sometimes you just have to disconnect.
See you from SF.
Light Posts today. Was Out Enjoying the Weather
June 14th, 2009
I took this in the Plaza Oriente and always loved this pic.
Lots to write about, but frankly, don’t feel like it today. We have been told that the March on Washington is on. Iran is a hot tranny mess. People continue to get riled up about the president’s LGBT policies and procedures. (Remember when he wouldn’t take a picture with Gavin Newsom)? And I’m still unhappy about the state secrets assertions, protection of war criminals, and the worried about the health plan as it is developing.
But it’s a great day in Madrid. I have wonderful friends. My dog is happy and playful. And life is good. So a little break today.
So that brings us up to date
May 30th, 2009I have copied over many of the archives from the previous site. I skipped a fair amount because they were such products of their time, that it didn’t seem useful. I can be convinced to change my view on this. So where do we go from here. I feel more liberated that I have before. I am not working for any organization that would want to be careful about what I have to say. And I do have opinions from the inside of how a lot of these organizations work. I would never share trade secrets or blast people. It’s just not my style. But this will serve as a first take on a lot of what is going on. It will also link to an all news site which I think you will really like and a couple of party sites that will fill you in and everything happening around the world in the gay megacities.
We will also have fun. And laugh. If you like what I write, please comment. I really believe your comments will make the site that much more interesting. Write even more so if you disagree. And try to support me a little financially by clicking through some of the web ads and maybe by a book or something from our store (over on the write) You can also sign up for RSS feeds at the bottom of the page.
So later today, I’ll start to share with you my thoughts about Obama, Sotomayor, the tragedy of American Idol, and a little bit about the upcoming book that I’m working on.
I love you all and miss you so much. thanks for all your support and for helping my dreams come true.
An Update and a Request (9/17/2008)
May 30th, 2009
My consulting firm has really been hitting all cylinders. Work is piling up and I’m loving it. I now have two fabulous consultants working for me, and for any of you who have ever started your own business, it’s pretty rewarding to see the successes.
My main projects are still acting as an employee for an exciting company called CorticalDB. I am their COO and my primary job will be helping them to raise capital. This is part of the group that I will be moving to Spain for. And yes, since our last talk, I now have a visa. I’ll be going there at the end of the month to finalize some of the details, and I’m excited and nervous.
I am also consulting on two campaigns. Today I will write a bit about one of them, the odious attempt to eliminate the right of LGBT Californians to get married.
Dearest Thom,
This November, Californians will be asked to vote on Proposition 8, a divisive ballot initiative that would take away the freedom to marry from loving and committed same-gender couples.
The truth is that this is beyond simply a marriage issue. It truly is a line in the sand in a long battle against the forces that would wish us away and back into the closet. A defeat here in California will mean that the extremists will be encouraged to seek out even more anti-gay legislation. They are already talking about laws to prevent talking about LGBT issues in education, limiting domestic partnership protections, and much more.
If we win, we will have killed this sort of bigotry for a generation. It is that important.
I’ve joined the NO on 8 campaign because I believe every Californian deserves the freedom to marry the one they love. Prop. 8 would create a separate set of rules for same-gender couples, treating them differently under law. I don’t want to live in a California that treats me – or anyone else – unfairly. Regardless of how you feel about marriage, it is a right that belongs to all of us, without exception.
Please join me in making a donation to NO on 8 – Equality California. Your generous contribution will help NO on 8 defeat this misguided measure. Thank you for standing with me to support freedom, fairness and equality.
Give as much as you can. The other side is enthused. They say this is Armageddon. We must win.
Follow this link to visit Thom Lynch’s page.
