Random Musings

My sister used to work at a hospital near her home, and year or so ago, a friend got a job at the same hospital. I asked my sister if she knew Tina, and she said she didn’t because it was a large facility, spread across several building, and if they worked in different areas they’d never cross paths.

Well, the other day, while at work, my friend Tina learned about Jeri’s passing when my sister’s boss sent out a hospital-wide email announcing it. Tina sent me a message on Facebook — she’d read my blog posts about my sister but never knew they worked together, and she said this … which still brings tears to my eyes:

Hi Bobby Boo, [no judgments, that’s what she calls me] how is it that I did not know Jeri was your sister? I am so sorry for your loss and although I didn't know her personally, I know I saw her at work a few times. Oh how I would have loved to know her, knowing she was part of you. Love to you. Xoxo

It’s funny, how just a couple of words can fill you with so much emotion, and how someone who knows you, knows what you meant to your sister and what she meant to you, can almost break your heart with words.

Now for some good news …

Despite bitter campaigns by NOM and the Illinois Family Institute, all three of the GOP Illinois state legislators — Tom Cross, Ed Sullivan, and Ron Sandack, left to right— who stepped away from their party’s rhetoric and voted for same-sex marriage all won their primary elections yesterday.

NOM and the IFI had vowed to run all three from the statehouse.

Take.That!

More good news?

Well, for the first time since the HIV epidemic exploded more than thirty years ago, AIDS is no longer one of the top 10 causes of death in New York City, having dropped off the list for 2013 — numbers for 2013 are not yet available.

It’s the first time AIDS has not ranked among the top ten since 1983.

Naturally, this doesn’t mean that AIDS, or HIV, is over, it just means there are netter treatment options and people are living longer. With treatment.

And, it means that one day, someday soon would be nice, we might actually have a cure.

New shows; new men.

We’re checking out Believe which kind of looks like a Firestarter remix, but it does star the beautiful Jake McLaughlin [top].

And we’re looking at resurrection, about people who have died but have come back, though, thankfully, not as zombies because zombies are over. It stars Mark Hildreth [bottom] as a hot minister and Sam Hazeldine [right] as an evil resurrectee [?].

The other night I gave a co-worker a ride home after work, and because she lives on the other side of town, I took the back way home.

I've driven this road a lot, but never on my way home from work because it's a roundabout way home. So, I'm cruising along, radio on, sunroof open, and, yes, the flashing lights appear.

Speeder. And I rarely speed, especially through Smallville, but this time I was and I couldn't deny it. It was license and registration and insurance and sitting and waiting and wondering if I would tell Carlos about it since I give him such a bad time about his driving. I decided not to tell him, and just pay the fine and kick myself in silence.

The police officer came back to the car ...

When was the last time you were ticketed?

About 13 years ago in Miami ... and then 13 years before that in California.

Huh.

Looks like we'll be doing this again in 2027?

And naturally, within a minute of walking into the house I told Carlos about my ticket.

He's been very nice; much nicer about it than I would have been had the lead-shoe been on the other foot.

Presented without comment. Oh hell, who am I kidding? I have a one word comment: Fierceness!

Now onto some American Horror Story.

AHS writer Douglas Petrie kind of, accidentally, spilled the beans on what’s in store for next season during a podcast when a guest said she heard the new season was set at a carnival.

"Yes," Petrie said when asked if it was set at a carnival. "It doesn't have a title, but that's the idea. Very roughly, that's the idea." 

Circuses. Clowns. Sideshows. Vewy scawy indeed.

And we also know that favorite Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson are involved in the new season, but that's about it, though series co-creator Ryan Murphy did reveal that Lange "has always wanted to play a Marlene Dietrich figure, and now she gets to." As for Paulson, she says she's working on a “special skill. A very special skill."

Fire breathing? Sword swallowing? It could be anything.

American Horror Story returns next this October.

In keeping with the theme of all good news — so far — let’s congratulate Danny Pintauro, the former child actor who played Jonathon Brower on the 1980s sitcom Who’s The Boss, who is set to marry his longtime boyfriend Wil Tabares, who said:

“The BIG DAY is coming soon! I mean like, REAL SOON! Dan and I are totally excited and can't wait to... seal the deal. I'm sure many of you out there know what we're talking about. We're still finalizing all of our plans and trying to get a final guest count. There's so much to do and plan for a wedding, I think it was a bit overwhelming for both Dan and myself. We really didn't know what to expect. But everyone so far has been more than hepful [sic] & we appreciate everything everyone is doing for us. We'll see you on the Big Day!”

The two men became engaged last April and may be marrying in California now that Prop H8 is gone.

Best wishes boys!

You need some RuPaul?

This week it was “Shade: The Rusical!” and the queens got to sing and dance and act.

So, who scored, and who flopped?

Courtney Act won this week, but then she’s a singer — from Australian Idol — and dancer and quite the beauty queen queen.  I liked her but she looks so girly and makes me think she’s more female impersonator than drag queen. But she had some great gams.

My favorite, the delicious Ben De La Creme was flawless again. I loved her over-the-top performance, and she brought it to the runway again.

The other idol — American Idol ­wannabe that is — Adore is just missing the mark. I remember him on Idol and thinking he was so feminine and now, on the DR he seems much more masculine. Michelle Visage scolded him for not cinching in his waist to give himself more of a girly figure and he complained that he didn’t have a corset? What kinda drag queen are you?

And Gia, G-G-G-Gia. I mean, she couldn’t figure out that a joke about beans was a fart joke? If the stupid is an act, she’s brilliant, if it’s not, well, she’s just about the dumbest queen ever.

And then we get Trinity, who did very well in the challenge, but spent most of the episode complaining about what she does and does not, can and cannot, do. Her Lip Sync For Her Life, however, was flaw.less.

And that was more than enough to send April Carrion ... carrying her bags home.

Next week is one of my favorite Drag Race challenges: Snatch Game!

There is a chance that Carlos and I will be in New York come July and if we are, you can look for me in the closest seat I can afford to buy to see one of my all-time favorite singers, and five-time Tony winner for Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun and Porgy and Bess, Audra McDonald in her newest show, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.

That’s right! Audra will be playing one of my other all-time favorite singers, Miss Billie Holiday in the one-woman show.

I.Must.See.This.