A Crappy Day in Texas

Now I know Tingley All Over isn't usually your one-stop-shop for political commentary, but the out come of today's voting has shifted my focus from TV trivia to the passing of my civil rights. Today, Proposition 2 was passed in Texas amending the constitution to define marriage as an act between a man and a woman.

Am I surprised it passed? No, c'mon it's Texas, the whole world already thinks we're slack-jawed rednecks. Is it really marriage I was after anyway? No, my seven-year relationship is much stronger than a piece of paper or a mash potato bar. The issue is bigger than that. Today was a crushing blow to that optimism that my vote can make a difference. I also feel cheated, like the language on the ballot didn't truly elaborate its ramifications and bigoted sentiments.

Today's vote makes me a second-class citizen. Thanks to the loose wording of the proposition, every aspect of my life is a pending legal battle. From the paper-work intricacies of owning a home, to life-threatening issues like power of attorney, Jerrett and I will have to work twice as hard to make sure we're protected.

I guess I also feel betrayed. I know there are people in my life who love me but voted yes. People who for whatever reason, be it fear or ignorance, chose to help civil rights take a giant step back. Those same people who gathered in Cedar Springs for the wacky gay Halloween festivities or laughed their asses off at that episode of Will & Grace.

If I had one wish right now, I'd zap all gay people out of existence tomorrow. Take all of our creativity, talent and wit out of the world for a day and just see what's left. And it wouldn't just be the stereotypical professions like hairdressers, Broadway dancers and ice skaters going either (although seeing those Highland Park bitches with a limp coif might be worth it). I'd take the gay accountants, garbage collectors, professors - the whole lot of us. Then we could really see where today's outcome has us headed.

I was so disgusted by tonight's vote, I asked Jerrett if we should move. You know, just pack up and take our tax-paying, lawn-mowing, good-friend-and-neighbor selves elsewhere. But in his trademark wise and patient tone he said "no, because that's exactly what they want us to do."

So I'm staying in Texas! I'm getting more involved in ways to defend my civil liberties. And, I'm hiring a good lawyer to draft up the paper work to protect my home, health and family.

Thanks to everybody who voted against proposition 2. We may have lost today, but we can't give up the fight! Live your life, live out loud and to quote Oscar Wilde, "One can survive everything , nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation."

Love, Love

Love as bruised, but not broken, as my spirit and civil rights.

Love, Jef

B-Movie Robots Get A+ Response

Domo Arigato Mr. Robotos
(turn your speakers up)

Here's the thing - I love Halloween. If I had my way, it would be totally socially acceptable to wear costumes everyday. Forget casual Friday, in my world workdays would be filled with swim fins, tutus or maybe a gorilla suit - whatever struck my fancy that morning. Think of the levity it would bring to board meetings if your boss was dressed as a pregnant nun or mad scientist? Nonetheless, I'll settle for my one day a year where I can duct tape, spray paint and bedazzle myself into a state of euphoria as I prepare my high holiday - HALLOWEEN.

The Nuts and Bolts of It
This year's motif was B-Movie Robots, you know the one's from 1950s Sci-Fi flicks hellbent on wiping out the human race. It started with me in Home Depot, surrounded by contractors, trying out various AC and heating vents on my head to find the correct size. Needless to say, I don't think the construction community took to kindly to this, so I quickly gathered up my gear and headed home to craft in private. A few tap lights and ray guns later, and our robots were ready for the runway.

In Dallas, the big Halloween hoo-hah is a street party held the Saturday prior to October 31. There's a nip in the air and plenty of nipple to be seen at this shin dig. Girls and boys alike use it as an excuse to wear underwear/lingerie in pairing with wings, fuzzy ears or hats for a menagerie of naughty fairies, kitties, nurses, etc. And , as expected, there were plenty of costumes du jour namely Katrina and Rita victims and the hurricanes themselves (bearing slogans like "Giving The Best Blow to the Gulf Coast"), a flurry of Fanta Girls and wall-to-wall Willy Wonkas.

If I do say so myself, our costumes were a total hit. We were totally paparazzied (yes, it's a verb) all night posing with every tom, dick and harry werewolf in the place. The best encounter was with a camera crew- not CNN or FOX, but some local "independent project." The reporter apparently had us mistaken for robots at a trekkie convention who thought they were actually the character. She cornered us for five minutes posing random questions like "where were you built?" and "how much did your helmet cost?" Incidentally, I told her we were built in Oak Cliff and that my helmet was couture and made of powered plutonium, but that she could get a knock-off version at Sam Moon. I also told her that we were programmed to destroy all who did not dress up.

But aside from the photo ops, the best part of the night was my adventure in the porta-potty. Now before you start thinkin' nastiness, let me explain. My costume had two tap lights on it - one on my belt and one on the top of my helmet. In my amusement of the eerie light my belly light cast across the filthy john, I apparently tipped my helmet too low. With a thud and a swirl, my head tap light fell off, circled the rim of the bowl and plopped into the murky depths providing and eerie red glow for the next toilet guest.

I could go on and on with my Halloween high jinks, but it's really a holiday of pictures, not words. So without further ado, I present:

The Tricks & Treats of Halloween 2005:

Hunky Firemen (insert hose pun here)

Feathery Poodle Drag Queens

Willy Wonka

Marilyn Mon ... no she din'nt

Moon Walkin' with Humanoids Tracey & Jason

Destroying Earthlings

Man Overboard

She liked us so much, she got the tattoo

Intergalatic Planetary with Suzi & Jack

Jetsons looking for their Rosie, but we don't do windows!

Obligatory Pope Pic

Love, Love

Love as ever-present as danger for Will Robinson

Love, Jef