The Column of Life

The vestiges of the Roman Empire are still with us. In some ways in their pristine state, most evidently in the languages and cultures of the Iberian and Italian peninsulas and their satellite islands. Rome inherited from Greece the penchant for male homosexuality. It's true, get over it. Perhaps it is that cultural strain that still runs through Spain. Thanks to Andy Towle's better than average web log with homosexual tendencies the following was brought to the North American light during this soon to be high pitched electoral year. It is enough to keep the still dead Generalissimo Franco in a sepulchral tail spin. The President of Spain, Zapatero has this to say: 'We will continue to make reforms to improve the conditions of all," he said in an interview with the monthly gay magazine Zero, where he appeared on the cover for the third time since 2002. 'We must facilitate the implementation of the rights that we have already approved: the right to adoption (for sam...

Web logs and MSM are reporting with glee that Senator Larry Craig is looking for Summer interns. And there is much to grin and smirk about. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Larry Craig is currently seeking intern applications for the summer term, which runs from May to August. The application deadline is March 15, however if more time is needed for the application process, please contact Senator Craig's office for an extension. Craig offers paid internships within the Washington, D.C., office. Preference is given to Idaho applicants attending Idaho schools who are in their junior or senior years of college (including graduating seniors). 'Interns have the chance to be an essential part of a working congressional office,' said Craig. 'They participate in the legislative process as well as ensure that constituent services run smoothly. For those interested in politics, it is an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our government functions while se...

LOS ANGELES, CA -- June 12,1992 The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation applauds ABC's *One Life to Live* for featuring a gay character...A young Ryan [Philippe] displays his acting chops with his performance as Billy Douglas. Ryan is called upon to perform a number of difficult scenes, but none are as memorable as Billy's "coming out" to his parents. Billy shows bravery as he reveals his homosexuality to his parents so reluctant to hear his words. Ryan's strong performance is a gutsy one as well. Kudos to him for taking on a controversial role at such a young point in his career. These days Ryan is out and about promoting his new film Stop Loss (March 28) which seems perfect this election year about Iraq. Perhaps it will put a crimp in the RNC's penchant for romanticizing it. Here's a viewer's comment from The International Movie Data Base: I had an opportunity to attend an advanced screening of this film yesterday in Boulder CO. I am not i...

If only ... Thanks, Datalounge.

About the Five of Cups from LearnTarot.com: In readings, the Five of Cups can alert you to the possibility of a loss and its associated emotions - sorrow, regret, denial. The loss could be great or small. It could be tangible (money, possession, relationship, work), or intangible (dream, opportunity, prospect, reputation). You may already know what this card represents, but, if not, use it as a warning to help you avoid a loss, or at least reduce its toll. You may feel discouraged by this card, but it does have a positive side. Every loss opens new possibilities for growth because every loss initiates change. Loss hurts because it is our emotional resistance to change. No matter how much we accept intellectually that we must go with the flow, if that flow separates us from what we love, our feelings say, "No!" The Jungian interpretation from Robert Wang adds this: "... this card may be interpreted as the fulfillment of an unconscious desire for the negative experience. S...

Phil Spector was fond of wrapping teenage dreams in "symphonies for the kids." Perhaps the hits that Mr. Spector produced were not exactly symphonic, but they were powerful musically. When the vocals were on par with the wall of sound, the effect was spectacular. Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich emerged out of Spector's shadow to become a creative force at Red Bird Records and may have actually outdone the insane master with the first song of this week's trio. It is rumoured that one of the Crystals, Mary Thomas, is the lead singer on this cut, which sounds more like the Crystals than the Crystals do. The production is flawless and the vocal truly indicative of teenage yearning. Vee Jay Records had its moments. It was the first label Stateside to distribute The Beatles, but lost them to Capitol Records. Paradise Lost. They also had the Four Seasons before losing them. On the R'n'B side of things there, they did give us Jerry Butler, Betty Everett, The Dells, The...

A trio of hot ones. Buon Appetito!

Ok, there are some downright ridiculous people on the Food Network posing as culinary experts. Some of them are downright over exposed. There are also those who are not pretentious, but excellent practitioners. Lately, the powers that be there have made a couple of good decisions in regard to programming. Without really knowing too much about him and watching the promos for him, some research was done and voila! here’s the new guy on The Food Network. So, we’ll bite--OK, maybe it’s a bit superficial--it is, after all, Saturday Beefcake. AND, although he is not precisely Canadian, he’s hanging out up there and there is an affinity in these parts for all things Canuck, given our resident moose technician. Here’s the link to the network’s official bio for this guy He has a very interesting background and a couple of things stand out: "Dynamic young chef Danny Boome brings his passion for food and culinary exploration to America with fresh perspectives and unique quick-fix ideas. In h...

Having been turning up the heat today, we thought it opportune to place some emphasis on that which creates the heat. Being bred in a culture where peppers, sweet and hot, are part and parcel of the cuisine, some honour is due to the mediterranean types. This comes from fiery-foods.com about the types in Calabria. 1 - Italian Cayenne variety, hot. 2 - Ciliegia (cherry), big, medium hot. Often used stuffed, then pickled or in olive oil. 3 - Ciliegia , small cherry, hot. Available as whole pods, in olive oil or dried. 4 - A popular hybrid, name unknown. Hot. 5 - Naso di Cane, mild and hot variety, offered dry, tied on a string (fila). 6 - Amando, hot to very hot. 7 - Sigaretta, very hot (similar to Thai), grows upright in clusters. 8 - Another popular hybrid, name unknown. Hot. 9 - Name unknown, hot, gowing upright in clusters, just like Sigaretta. 10 - Chiltepin-like variety with just 1/4" in diameter, very hot. Got this one served in olive oil at a restaurant. 11 - Peperone, dolce...

Turning the heat up for today's theme, a recipe for salsa and some do like it hot. Roasted Tomato Salsa Medium Yellow Onion, one half, finely diced Lime Juice, fresh, one and a half tablespoons Roma Tomatoes, six medium Fresh Chiles, either Serrano or Jalapeno, three halved lengthwise, stemmed and seeded Garlic, one clove, peeled Cilantro, one cup, coarsely chopped Kosher Salt, one and a half teaspoons 1. Soak the onion in the lime juice for fifteen minutes. 2. In a large caste iron skillet, “roast” the tomatoes, chiles and garlic clove until charred on all sides. 3. Pulse them all in a blender, until somewhat chunky 4. Transfer to a bowl and add the onion, lime juice, cilantro and salt. 5. Add salt or lime juice to taste if necessary.

You need something hot on a cold winter day.

I am letting you know that I have registered for AIDS Walk New York. This is one of the most important issues of our era and I have, therefore, set an ambitious fundraising goal. I want to do as much as I can to make a difference in the lives of men, women, and children affected by HIV and AIDS. The staff of Smart + Strong, publishers of POZ , Tu Salud & Real Health invite you to a New York AIDS Walk fund raiser on May 14, 2008 from 5:45 to 9:00 PM to be held at: Prohibition. 503 Columbus Avenue. New York City. Rich and Ian of Prohibition have once again generously set aside valuable time to support this important effort. There will be a $25.00 donation at the door and a two drink minimum. Table reservations are gladly accepted for those who are dining. The thrid annual soiree will include entertainment from John Kouri and Tremors with special guest Ilene Kristen of One Life to Live. Thorsten Kaye from All My Children and Ken Lundie of Radio City Music Hall will be on hand to m...

This page no longer exists. Please, donate to AIDS Walk Los Angeles. Go here for my donation page. Silence=Death.

Main Entry: char·ac·ter Pronunciation: \ˈker-ik-tər, ˈka-rik-\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English caracter, from Latin character mark, distinctive quality, from Greek charaktēr, from charassein to scratch, engrave; 2 a: one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual c: the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation d: main or essential nature especially as strongly marked and serving to distinguish "The President we get is the country we get. With each new President the nation is conformed spiritually. He is the artificer of our malleable national soul. He proposes not only the laws but the kinds of lawlessness that govern our lives and invoke our responses. The people he appoints are cast in his image. The trouble they get into, and get us into, is his characterisitc trouble. Finally, the media amplify his character into our moral weather report. He becomes the face of our sky, the conditio...

The portrait of the 18 year old Henry Tudor at his coronation belies the colourful, fascinating and monstrous monarch he was to become and with whom there seems to be endless fascination. It is Eric Bana who portrays Henry VIII in his latest depiction in the film The Other Boleyn Girl . It’s hoped that this is at least a cut above Showtime’s The Tudors. Last year TV Critic, Melanie McFarland had this to say: *Playing an outsize historical figure like this requires an actor who blows the role open, making his delivery reach out and grab you by the neck. Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons set the standard in Elizabeth I , last year's other, better, Tudor-related piece. Rhys Meyers doesn't even compare. No one in the cast does, not even Sam Neill, who plays the two-faced Cardinal Wolsey, or Jeremy Northam as king's counsel Sir Thomas More. Anne Boleyn, one of the feistiest women of that era (Natalie Dormer), isn't much more than a girl with shiny hair, devastating eyes and a we...

This meditation was made in light of Wednesday's full moon and eclipse in Virgo, placing emphasis on retrograde Saturn in Virgo. Saturn is not necessarily the malefic capacity as portrayed in traditional astrology. More often than not, especially in Virgo, Saturn is about maturity, organization, focus and, above all, wisdom. Evolved Virgo is about reaping the benefits--a harvest with everything in its place. The background for this reading, i.e. where it's coming from has to do with what is brought forth by the Prince of Wands. In the Jungian interpretation: This is a thoughtful and observant young man, a good judge of people and of situations who finds it difficult to make cautious decisions; he usually acts before he thinks. His greatest strength is a finely tuned sensitivity to the feelings of those around him--especially insofar as those feelings affect him directly. He can be a caring and devoted friend who inspires affection as easily as he gives it. He loves to be in lov...