Be Thankful For Not Being A Turkey

While I understand that messages like these are usually just more controversial and off putting than they are able to change hearts and minds, I still think it's good that at least someone is talking about the national torture, slaughter, and consumption of turkeys day.

I chose to be gay.

I did.

I'm sexually attracted to men. I can have emotional and romantic connections with them. I can, quite easily, pretend to be heterosexual.

Despite that, I chose to be a lesbian.

Now, I know that for most of those lgbtqqia-identifiers that they don't feel like there was choice in the matter; that they were born gay or lesbian. And, just like that, just how they were born with a specific orientation, I was born bisexual. I always remember being attracted to both genders. I never chose to begin liking men or begin liking women - it's just always been that way.

And, for those of us who chose to have a same sex partner, I think we're kind of the dirty gay secret. It's an inconvenient part of the narrative. We're supposed to concentrate on genetics, on pointing to all the animals who were gay, and all the gays through history. It doesn't sit well with gay advocacy groups to have members stand up and say "I'm a lesbian, I chose to be, and so what?" The idea is we need to prove it's not a choice, so we can be accepted.

Which means that our thinking is: If it was a choice, wouldn't we choose to be straight?

Our own narrative oppresses us. Why are we putting forth the idea that of course we wouldn't want to choose to be a lesbian? Why do we assume that everyone knows that it is bad and wrong to be gay?

It's okay to chose to be gay. It's okay to chose not to be gay. It's okay to chose to be a boy or a girl, or chose to identify as Italian or Namibian. And if there didn't seem to be a choice in these traits, that's okay, too.

For me, I decided to be a lesbian, and I love it.

Today!!! The Steelers vs. The Patriots

I think this sums up my sentiments nicely.

But, additionally, given what we now know about Traumatic Brain Injury, I think it is irresponsible to have your children play football. (I suppose grown men, however, can go brain injure themselves all they want, if they so desire.)

Most Porn

I hate how porn makes me a hypocrite - I can enjoy many types of porn, but I also know that this triple venn diagram is all sorts of truthful.

Tea Party Movement, You're Not Cool, Yet

Driving back from one of the groups I co-facilitate, I found out that the pick-up truck in front of me had political opinions. That car noted that it was a right wing conservative, called people socialist bastards, and also was plastered with the declaration "I was anti-Obama before it was cool." Now, what trucks have against Obama, especially given that he helped the bailout of the auto industry, is beyond me. But what really struck me about this is that there is some sort of belief that it is now "cool" to be anti-Obama.

Is there some sort of weird swing in 'coolness'? Are ignorant, uneducated racists somehow the new trend setters? Will fashion become all about bedazzled flag pins? Are musicians going to start rapping about socialist agendas? Will adolescent boys start brushing up on their birther rhetoric in order to win some young girls heart? Are anti-Obama tattoos going to start showing up on the ankles or lower backs of co-eds?

Tea Party Movement, you may be a lot of things, but I don't think you've quite gotten around to mastering "cool."

Good Without God

The moral? Morality without a god is just as possible as immorality with a god. Good works are not the sole property of the religious. And Pat Roberson is a douche.

Foodscapes

Photographer Carl Warner has decided to combine the childhood art of playing with your food, photography, and photoshop to create quaint and edible landscapes.

Apparently, I am the last person to find out about these super cool creations, as he began to make this type of artwork a few years ago.

But, maybe you're even further behind in that tiny niche of food art then I am, and these will be brand new and fascinating for you.

The only thing that would make his artwork cooler is if he only used vegetarian and organic ingredients. (He does just this opposite in a few pictures: making landscapes primarily consisting of deli meats.)

The other downside to this medium? It makes you wonder about the opulence and excess of those of us who live in the Western hemisphere. Is it really fair to be using food as art when there are people who are malnourished? (And, yes, this applies to you, preschoolers, and your macaroni art. Don't think you get let off the hook.)

However, if you're not concerned about the moral implications, you could go and check out more of his work on his website, if you feel so inclined.

AMC's The Walking Dead

Main character, Rick Grimes, inside an abandoned hospital.

Many have lamented the downfall of dramas made

for television. And, it's true, reality television programming seems to have eaten away at the creativity of many of the networks. But there are still some quality shows being produced. Showtime has Dexter, of course, which is beautifully filmed and superbly acted. And I'd argue that Dexter is the best thing on TV at the moment.

But, maybe, Dexter might have some competition. Released this past Sunday night, another haunting yet gorgeous drama, The Walking Dead, is now carving out a place for itself in the category of deadly dramas.

This first episode is not full of shocking novelties; a man awakens from a coma, in a hospital, and slowly comes to realize that while he was asleep, the world was overcome by zombies. Sound familiar? You're probably remembering 28 Days Later. But also like 28 Days Later, The Walking Dead tries to supply you with characters that you care about. The horror genre often has trouble with this, and while I am not yet completely invested in the characters, I can certainly see promise. And, this is a television series; there is time to become invested and to develop it beyond scare-tactics and gruesome scenes.

Don't worry, though. This isn't all drama. There is plenty that is dark and terrifying. Zombies, with their frightening stagger, litter the screen. And the piles of bodies, scarred and wasted away, almost seem benign in comparison.

Zombies having a bloody delicious snack during Episode 1 of the The Walking Dead.

Overall, the premiere was quite satisfying, and I believe it's worth taking a time out from Next B Celebrity Make Out to give this show a try.

Teenage Pregnancy - Is Poverty to Blame?

The CDC has released its newest compiled data regarding teenage pregnancy. And, to plug my tiny little state, I'll proudly boast that NH has the lowest rates of teenagers becoming mothers, with our stats at only 19 teen moms per 1,000 teenagers.

But, no one cares about who is doing well in this regard. The focus is now on who has the highest rates. And, why, unsurprisingly, it is the southern United States.

I'm guessing you're expecting me to blame this on abstinence-only education. And while I would love to, and I think abstinence-only education is a horrible policy, I don't think it is the main cause of this trend. My guess, instead, is that this is due to the pervasive poverty in the South. Generation after generation where options are few and a sense of hopelessness regarding the future is commonplace, there are no reasons to delay pregnancy.

Education regarding sex and contraceptives is lacking, certainly, but, what would make an even bigger difference is education, period. Further education, more options, and more hope. I think that is the cure to teenage pregnancy.* But, this would mean investing more money - more government money - into education programs at all levels. And, it would not be an immediate pay-off. And, hell, it might not work at all...but, we'd be increasing the access to education for those who have fewer options and smaller incomes, and, that's never a bad thing, right?

*Well, and, perhaps, an elimination of teen dating violence and the scary norm of sexual assaults of teenage girls. But, for now, we'll assume that most of the sex teenagers are having is 'consensual' (although, that is up for debate).

Stonewall Kitchen

Like most people, I've been trying to become more of a localivore.

For years, now, I've been enjoying local produce from farms where the food is grown usually only a mile or two from my doorstep. But, sometimes, you need something a little bit more decadent than corn and green beans.

So, I was pretty thrilled when my trip to Portsmouth (while I was sick, yes) this weekend included a stop at a Stonewall Kitchen store. They've been in existence for about twenty years now and they are a lot more than just jam (although, those are pretty amazing).

While I was there, I picked up some of the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce

...and, yes, it is freaking good as it sounds. You'll want to eat it with a spoon, but, to be dignified instead, use it drizzled on some green apples or dip in a pretzel or two.

My girlfriend, who is more interested in the spicy and salty flavors, fell in love with the Raspberry Salsa. It was a touch too spicy for me, but I have a 'delicate' palate.

So, here I am, without getting any free giveaways or making a commission, promoting their products. If you live in New England, make a trip to one of their stores. If you live outside the area, you could go ahead and order some products online, but it might make sense to find something as equally delicious in your own backyard (although, if no one makes Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce in your neighborhood, I'd forgive you for breaking down and having it shipped - it truly is too good to pass up.)