Hawaiian Kabobs

I just got an e-mail from a good friend of mine, Art Sanderson, former emperor of Chico, California, in response to my announcement that the July "Recipe of the Month" was going to be posted July 6th. He wanted something for the 4th of July, and after thinking about it, I thought some of the rest of my readers might enjoy a special summer holiday recipe as well.

So, here it is. From an old clipping my revered grandmother cut out of an issue of "Better Homes & Gardens" from the 1970s;

HAWAIIAN KABOBS

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon dark corn syrup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 1/2 lbs beef sirloin steak, cut into 1 1/2" pieces
• 3 green peppers, cut in 1" squares
• 5 small, FIRM, tomatoes, quartered

1. In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, oil, corn syrup, garlic, dry mustard and ginger.
2. Add meat; cover and refrigerate several hours or (best) overnight
3. Drain the meat, reserving marinade.
4. Alternate meat, green pepper, and tomato on skewers (note: If you decide to use bamboo skewers, soak them in water overnight to prevent them from catching fire on the grill and burning your kabobs).
5. Grill over medium-hot coals till desired doneness. Allow about 15 minutes for rare.
6. Baste the kabobs occasionally with reserved marinade.

This makes 8 servings, and everyone will rave about how tasty your kabobs are.

By the way, I'm moving into a new apartment on July 12th. I plan to register at Target (pronounced Tar-Gay) for housewarming gifts. When I have everything set-up, I plan to have a nice housewarming party. I look forward to seeing you all.

When I Was Fair And Young

I was feeling a little sad and lonely, and thought of this poem.

When I was fair and young, and favor graced me,

Of many was I sought their love to be.

But I did scorn them all, and answered them therefore,

"Go, go, go seek some other-where,

Importune me no more."

How many weeping eyes I made to pine with woe;

How many sighing hearts I have no skill to show.

Yet I the prouder grew, and answered them therefore,

"Go, go, go seek some other-where,

Importune me no more."

Then spake fair Venus' son, that proud, victorious boy,

And said: "Fine sir, since that you be so coy,

I will so pluck your plumes that you shall say no more,

"Go, go, go seek some other-where,

Importune me no more."

When he had spake these words, such change grew in my heart's breast

That neither night nor day since that, I could take any rest.

Then lo, I did repent that I had said before,

Go, go, go seek some other-where,

Importune me no more.

I Don't Know What To Do.

I found out recently that the house my grandparents used to own is back on the market. Some of my happiest memories, not just from childhood but life in general, are connected in some way to that house, and the people who used to live there, namely my grandparents.

My grandmother sold the house in 2004 after her second fall (thankfully, she didn't break anything that time) preparatory to moving to an assisted living retirement home. She originally asked $220,000, but had to lower it to $189,500, and the "man" who bought it nickeled and dimed her down another $500 to $189,000, AND made her include all the major appliances (ie. refrigerator, deep-freeze, stove, and dishwasher).

Well, needless to say, I wasn't to happy about the way that "man" took advantage of my grandmother's need to sell and move into a retirement home. I would have bought the house myself, but had nowhere near the amount of money I would have needed to put 20% down, let alone make the monthly mortgage payments and all the other bills and expenses that come with home ownership (eg. water, garbage, sewage, taxes, insurance), so, I didn't buy the house, but I did, I suppose, put a kind of curse on the new owner.

Now, it seems, my curse has born out. I have learned from my grandparents' former friends and neighbors that the "man" lost his job, his wife left him for another man, and his daughter got arrested for something to do with drugs and is now in a juvenile detention facility near Ventura, California. Ah, justice (and the sub-prime mortgage meltdown).

I have given some thought to trying to buy the house back myself, but I'm not sure it would be a good idea. Where my grandparents kept the house immaculate and in perfect condition, the "man" who bought it wasn't so particular and the house needs a lot of work and the neighborhood isn't as nice as it used to be. I'll have to think about it some more, but if I decide to buy it, I'll keep you informed.

By the way, some of you may have wondered about my use of the quotation marks whenever I referred to the ' "man" ' who bought my grandparents house. I use them to indicate that I don't think the "man" in question was much of one, nickle-and-dimming my grandmother the way he did, and use the term only to refer to his biological gender, and even that I have my doubts about (the size anyway).

The Singing New Friend

I got such a great response to my own music video, I thought I'd attach one of someone who has actual talent.

Maria Johnson, the "Singing New Friend" currently plays the part of Angela Bukitinski at the Stockton Civic Theatre's production of "The Full Monty". A very talented lady, I'm looking forward to working with her on future SCT productions when I'm free of other obligations. If any of you can make it to Stockton, and see nothing else, see Maria and the rest of the cast in "The Full Monty". I give it 5 out of 5 stars. *****

In the meantime, here's Maria Johnson singing. I won't hope you'll enjoy it, because I know you will enjoy it.

My First Music Video

I went to Club Paradise this last Tuesday, 6/24/08, for the karaoke and ended up singing the Eurythmics song, "Here Comes the Rain Again" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PscogedAWTI.

Maybe I'm just an egomaniac, but I think I sung it better. What do you think?

Please, be kind.

I Just Had the Strangest Dream (1)

In the dream, I was in a restaurant or diner, a place that reminded me somewhat of The Creamery here in Stockton, CA. I was eating with some friends of mine when who should walk up to our table but Dan Savage, author, sex advice columnist, and stand-up comedian.

He sits down next to me in our booth and we begin a conversation. I ask him about his son, DJ, and partner, Terry, who he tells me is busy antiquing, and could not come down from Seattle.

Now, I have always, for as long as I could remember, what some would call prophetic dreams. That means I dream of something and it later comes to pass, though it usually takes me some time to figure out what my dreams mean, and I wonder what this one meant.

I don't think it means I'm going to meet the actual Dan Savage in The Creamery, but it could mean that I meet someone who looks like or otherwise reminds me of him. Could this be a dream about a future boyfriend? God, I hope so!

I'll keep my eyes open, and if it comes true, and the guy I meet doesn't object, I'll keep you informed.

More Than the Price of Oil

This is going to be a short post because I just wanted to bring to light the main reason gasoline in the United States is so expensive compared to what it was at just a few short years ago.

Did you realize the last refinery built in the USA, in Garyville, Louisiana, began operations in 1976. 32 Yeas ago! And boys and girls, and those of you who have yet to make up their minds, that is the youngest oil refinery. Most are older than that, are already working at near 100 % capacity, and are using antiquated technology. Everyone wants cheaper gas, but no one wants the refineries built "in their own back yards."

Also, refineries aren't really that big of a money maker. My research turned up the fact that it costs roughly between $2billion and $4billion to construct and bring online, and that the return on equity is only about 5%. You can make more money than that investing in Treasury Bonds!

We don't need cheaper oil (well, granted it would help a little). What we need is more oil refineries to process the oil we've pumped out of the ground now.

Making a Confession

I went to see a play at the Stockton Civic Theatre ( http://www.sctlivetheatre.org/ ) last night (6/20/08). The play, "The Full Monty". It was a very good production, and I had a good time, but, and this will lead to the confession I'm going to make, I couldn't stop myself from picturing me, up on the stage, performing with the other actors.

I had wanted to audition for the play, but couldn't because of my other commitments, namely (and this will get me into some serious trouble in certain quarters) my duties as regent emperor to the Imperial Court of Stockton.

It's not just missing my chance to audition for "The Full Monty" or any of the other plays that the SCT has put on this year, it's lots of different things I wanted to do, but couldn't because of my other responsibilities to an organization, community, and group it's becomes more and more difficult every day to stay enthusiastic about.

My entire life, it seems, lately, is a routine, a rut of work and court functions. Like the instructions on a shampoo bottle; 1) Work, 2) Court, 3) Repeat. It hasn't all been bad of course. I've met a lot of fun, interesting people, and made a LOT of good friends. But, I find myself asking, and more often lately, it seems, "What else am I missing out on? Is this my life, for the rest of my life?".

It's not just me. I think a lot of the people I've met through the imperial court are in a similar rut. A perfect example of this was the response I got when I invited some friends to my apartment for a mini "I Love Lucy" marathon. I had just bought the box set of the ENTIRE series, including the one hour "Lucy & Desi Comedy Hour" episodes. Very few people replied to my invitations, and the few that did all asked, basically, the same questions, "Where was it being held? When is it being held? Will it be an open show? Who are the MCs? Will their be a Lucy look-alike contest? How much are the tickets going to be?" I wanted to scream, "Not everything is a court function!"

We all have lives outside the court. Isn't it about time we started living them?

By the way, I'm moving to a new apartment in July. I'm getting estimates from some of the different moving companies here in Stockton, because even if I hadn't just written what I just wrote, I don't think I'd get many volunteers to help me move. But don't worry, gentle reader, I'll still be there to help you move.

Just a Rant

Since I've started this blog, I can count the number of people who have posted comments to what I've had to say on one hand, and have two fingers left over. Two different people named Greg and the mysterious "ihateise". Where is everyone else?!?!

Is it really that hard to click on the little "comments" tag at the bottom of each post and write what you think about what I think? Am I just so boring and my posts so dull as to be unworthy of comment? Are my recipes and poems to complicated, or to deep? Or, is EVERYONE to busy washing their hair?

This reminds me of an incident I experienced when I was living with my family in El Paso, Texas. I was delivering the newspapers on my route (Yes, I was a "paperboy") when my bike chain broke. Well, after pushing my bike along as I finished my rounds, I pushed it home and called my mother at work to tell her what had happened. Her advice was to take some of the money out of my mayo jar, go to the post exchange store (we lived on an army base) and get the repair kit. Well, the PX was very far away (about 5 miles), and while I would have had no problem biking, I really didn't want to walk all that way. So, I asked all of the other kids if I could borrow one of their bikes to make the trip. Guess what. They all gave me the same answer, "Sorry Wesley, my bike has a flat tire." All of them!

Now I am a trusting individual, and like to believe people are basically honest, but not 5 minutes later, I saw two of my "friends" riding their bikes through the neighborhood.

What does this have to do with hardly anyone posting a comment on my blog in response to what I've been writing? Nothing at all really. It was just a rant. But I felt the need to say it, because I find myself growing tired lately of always being there for everyone else when they need me, but hardly anyone is there for me when I need them. Do they all have flat tires?

Thank You Tim

Hello. My name is Wesley, and I am a nit-wit. I am also an incredibly lucky nit-wit.

Last night, I decided to go out to Club Paradise, located at 10100 N. Lower Sacramento Road, Stockton, CA, for company and karaoke. I got all the way there before I remembered that I had not brought any cash with me, but had brought one of my credit cards for some reason. Normally, I leave my plastic in a secret place in my apartment (I'm not telling anyone where, and I change the location every few days anyway).

Anyway, I decided to use my card to start a tab. Well, karaoke got started late last night and by the time I had had the chance to sing my song (Alison Moyet "Is This Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WuxxXAi56Y) it was past 10:30 PM. I try to get to bed by 9:30 PM on a work night, so after I was done, I said my goodbye's and went home.

Well, long story short (I know, "To late!") I left my credit card behind. I didn't even realize it till I decided it was time buy some gas for my car. At first I thought it had been stolen and I was just about to call The Company when I suddenly remembered I left it at Paradise.

I called the club and Tim, the head bartender, told me he was keeping it safe for me. So, I want to say "Thank you Tim. You are not only good looking on the outside, you have a beautiful soul".

Speaking of buying gas by the way, it cost me $75.00 to fill up my tank. If nothing else was needed to convince me of the wisdom of my "hyper-miling" it was that. I put in a bottle of the "STP Gas Treatment" with every fill-up, I drive 55 MPH, I take my foot off the gas when I'm going downhill and coast, I turn the engine off entirely when I know I'm going to be stationary for more than 10 seconds (it actually takes less gas to restart your car than you use letting the engine run when motionless), and I'm up to 26.3 MPG. This works out to about 421 miles on a full tank, or $0.18/per mile. I'm trying for 30 MPG. If I make it, I'll keep you informed.

I Dodged Another Bullet

I have just decided to NOT invest in Britannia Bulk Holdings, Inc., after all. It just priced a full $2.00/share BELOW the originally set price range of $17-$19/share which is never a good sign.

I may have done as much research as I could, but the BIG MONEY people on Wall Street have access to much better information than I do. So, if the level of interest generated by this IPO is such that it prices below the offering range, I'm not buying. Instead, I'll keep the money I was going to invest in this company in the cash portion of my portfolio until a better investment opportunity comes along.

So, my advice, for what it's worth is to NOT, I repeat NOT to invest in this stock.

If something better comes along, I'll keep you informed.

Reno's Victory Brunch

Hi everybody. I won't be writing much in this post, but I thought you might like to see some of the pictures I took at Reno's victory brunch.



I think Hanna DuVet is the new Carmen Miranda.

My Next Big Risk (Part 2)

First let me say, I'm running out of titles for my posts. Could I be growing stale and hackneyed? No, I don't think so.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you all about my next big stock market investment risk. I'm currently planning an investment in a company called Britannia Bulk Holdings, Inc. It is a company that is primarily engaged in the shipment of "dry bulk goods" like grain, coal, iron ore, and other such commodities, and in this recessionary time (Ooops, sorry. George W has stated categorically we are NOT in a recession, only an economic "slow down". The economy is in "Time-Out") commodities are king.

I've been doing a lot of research and have come across some very good data. The stock will list for an initial opening price of between $17 & $19 per share and I'm hopping to get my hands on 500 shares at the opening, which will mean an investment of between $8,500 and $9,500 for a minimum time frame of 31 days. I have till about 5:00 PM tomorrow (6/18/08) to decide. I'll keep you informed.

To Reno and Back Again

I just got back from my trip to Reno, NV, for the Silver Dollar Court's Coronation, 2008, and the stepping down of Emperor Gene LaPorte and Empress Pandora and although my little adventure had it's good and bad moments, it was nonetheless an event of a lifetime.

Let me start by saying I had not been to Reno before (unless you count my conception) so everything was new and exciting for me. All of the lights and activity put an electric charge in the air that is hard to describe in any other way.

I drove up early on Saturday (6/14/08) morning and arrived just in time for the tail-end of hospitality. The food was delicious and it was good to see all of the friends I've made in the court system since I first became involved (my God, had it been nearly 10 years already?). After hospitality, I went back to the hotel I was staying at, The Peppermill. That place is fan-fucking-tastic! Here are a few photos to show just how beautiful it is;

I was especially enchanted by the bathroom. I swear, when I die, I want to be buried in that bathroom! I stayed for both Saturday and Sunday, and was only able to do this because of the special comp certificate I won at the Chico Big Hair Ball which was attended by Reno's newest emperor Danniel S. Foxx who donated the prize. You have a great hotel Danniel.

Coronation later that evening was a blast. I don't have enough words to describe it, and since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are 6,000 words for your viewing pleasure;

And of course, an extra 1,000 words for the crowning moment of the evening (no pun intended);

. I have other pictures that were taken that night, as well as some from the victory brunch the next day, but I'll be posting them next time. I hope you enjoy all of these, and let me say to Emperor Daniel Surreal Foxx and Empress Hanna DuVet (sorry if I misspelled your name, send me a shout, and I'll correct the post) I wish you all the luck in the world, and I hope to be able to attend as many functions as possible in Reno in the future.

Afterthoughts (# 1)

How am I supposed to control another human being?! I have no power or authority to do so. If someone I know decides to do something, whether I agree with it or not, does some law, charter, policy or procedure allow me to use force to stop them?

The wise man (or woman) would do well to not use the phrase "Stand up for yourself and don't let them walk all over you" so indiscriminately with me, because you never know when I might decide that you are going to be one of the 'them' I decide to stand up to.

This was just an afterthought. Something I put down to help relieve stress and work out conflicting emotions. Then again . . . . .

My Upcomming Trip To Reno, Nevada

I won't have much time this weekend for updating my blog because early Saturday (6/14/08) I'm off to Coronation, 2008, in Reno, Nevada, and the step down of Emperor Gene LaPorte and Empress Pandora.

I have not been to Reno in a VERY long time, since my parents conceived me in fact, and I'll be staying at the Peppermill. I won a two day, one night stay for free in a raffle at Chico's Big Hair Ball, and figured this would be the perfect opportunity to use it. I'm most looking forward to seeing Daniel Surreal Foxxx, candidate for emperor of Reno, who donated the prize. I will also be making two applesauce cake loaves to give Emperor Gene and Empress Pandora as step down gifts. I hope they like them.

When I come back on Monday, I'll be turning in the paperwork to lease a different apartment. I feel like I need a change and I never really liked the complex I'm living in now.

This may be my last post till Monday at the latest, but if I think of anything else between now and 7:00 am on Saturday, I'll keep you informed.

I just thought of something. If you read my post yesterday, I was talking about the economic benefits of gay marriage to California. Never try to convince your opponent on a moral ground, stick to the practical reasons, and if they say "Well, you're going to hell!" reply "I may be going to hell, but you're going bankrupt."

A Quick Word On Gay Marriage

To those who say gays and lesbians do not deserve the basic human right to marry the man or woman they love, simply because they are of the same gender, and plan of voting in favor of the California constitutional amendment in November to take away this right, remember to vote in the interest of your wallet, and here are a few statistics that might make you think twice;

1. UCLA's Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation and the Law projected that gay men and lesbians will spend $684 million on cakes, photographers and other services over the next three years.
2. 100,000 same-sex couples will get married during the next three years, and an additional 68,000 out-of-state couples will travel to California to exchange vows.
3. Over that period, gay weddings will generate $64 million in tax revenue for the state, $9 million in marriage-license fees for counties, and some 2,200 jobs.
4. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who twice vetoed bills that would have legalized gay marriage has come out in support of the court's decision (Could the HUGE economic infusion this would bring to California have anything to do with this flip-flop).

If any of you think I picked these facts and figures out of thin air, I got all of them from a post on CNBC.com. Here's the link http://www.cnbc.com/id/25099642

Now, for those of you still think it would better to vote for the amendment rather than against it based on your religious convictions, more power to you, but remember this;

"My mortgage is a certainty I must live with every day, God is but a nebulous eventuality. Heaven and Hell are far away, the bill collector lives next door."

Another Flap of the Butterfly's Wings

This will probably get me into trouble with certain individuals if I talk about this, but I am being driven to the brink, to the edge of sanity, to a point where I will no longer be able to control myself and explode in a fury of emotion.

I am so tired of doing the thinking for so many people. No one wants to decide anything for themselves for fear of making the wrong decision. No one wants to take responsibility for anything, and they will pass the buck faster than the stock market would rise tomorrow if the Federal Reserve would lower interest rates by a full percentage point today.

I am tired of being the person people walk up to too lodge a complaint with about someone else. Frustrated with being the Voice of Reason and yet still ignored when we get down to brass tax.

I have no outlet except this blog, and if this post is the butterfly flapping it’s wings, then so be it. Let the storm rage against me, for I know that even the most violent hurricane will blow itself out eventually.

I present as part of this blog, a poem that occurred to me. It is a variation on a theme, the same yet different to one I posted previously;

I am rage,
I am compassion.
I am frustration,
I am consideration.
I am grief,
I am joy.
I am the fire,
I am the frost.
I am bedlam,
I am perfect silence.
I am alone,
Yet I am never left alone.
I am the pool of still water.
I am the image of peace and tranquility,
But I run very deep.
I am currents and cross currents,
I am riptides and undertows,
I am the concealing darkness,
I am the longing for the light.
I want, yet I grow weary of what I have.

I yearn to release my grip, yet feel terror at the thought of letting go.
I am made of dark passions,
A desire to hurt,
A desire to heal.
A desire to inflict pain & punishment,
A desire to love and bestow my favor.
I want to scream,
Yet I am forced to remain silent.
I desire to rage against the world,
Yet I dare not show the slightest discontent lest I be called unreasonable.
I am all these things and more,

And I fear sometimes I am going insane.

A Haiku Poem About Silence

How many of you know what a haiku is? For those of you who don't know, it is a Japanese style of poetry. A poem of three lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables.

I first became acquainted with this form of poetry when my family and I lived in Hawaii, with it's large population of Japanese-Americans, and at one time was composing them left, right, and center. Not so much anymore.

Here is one though that occurred to me yesterday at work. I have nothing else to talk about today, but if anything occurs to me, I'll keep you informed.

Oh blessed silence,

A prayer said every day.

A prayer unanswered.

Of Wishes and First Steps

My grandparents used to both say, "Wesley, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride." and I have to admit now how right they really were.

As my weight began it's slow (and sometimes not so slow) steady climb from my best weight of 160 lbs (WAY back in 1994) to my most recent weight-in of 250 lbs (12 lbs lighter than my official weigh-in for the Weight-Off-A-Thon) I really didn't do that much to stop the progress, except eat more, exercise less, and wish that I could have a lean, muscular body like Brad Pitt.

Here is a question, "What is the MOST popular day to start a diet/exercise program?". For those of you who said Monday, sorry, but that is in fact the 2ND most popular day to start either of those. The most popular date to do these things is tomorrow.

Now I don't mean (since this is Monday) Tuesday. I mean tomorrow from whatever day you come to realize you need to start dieting and getting more exercise.

The hardest part is taking that first step. Like it says in chapter 64 of the Tao Te Ching of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet." (Yes, by the way, this was paraphrased by JFK in his inaugural address back in 1960.)

Today was my first step. I managed my calories, drank a lot of water, and went to the gym after work. Now, if you measure each step as 12" (1 foot), and a mile is 5,720 feet, I just have 5,719,999 more steps to go. YIKES!!!!!

Finger Foods! Finger Foods! Finger Foods!

Every time I help plan an imperial court function here in Stockton, California, when the group moves to discussing what foods will be served, someone ALWAYS says "Let's just serve finger foods.", and then not a single finger food gets made, not even by the person that suggested "finger foods" to begin with. I'm starting to think no one knows what finger foods are, let alone how to make them.

Well, let me start by saying that they are not just things you can eat with your fingers (IE. fried chicken, bananas, marshmallows {Yuck! Marshmallows}). They are, however, foods like the recipe I present for you all here today. I hope you enjoy it.

CHEESE STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 package (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• salt & pepper to taste

1. Cut a thin slice of the top of each tomato. Scoop out and discard the pulp. Invert (turn cut open side down), onto paper towels to drain. Combine cheese and onion, spoon into tomatoes.
2. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper; shake well. Spoon over tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to blend before serving.

(Here is an extra tip by the way. Cut a small sliver off the bottom of the tomatoes so they will stand upright on the serving platter.)

This recipe yields about 1 doz. bite sized, genuine finger foods that you and your guests will find delicious, and for those of you whining about "This is to complicated!", it takes about 20 minutes from start to finish (not counting the 30 minutes you need to refrigerate). Less actually if you're handy in the kitchen.

As always, eat and enjoy.

(And if it's not to much trouble, post a comment on what you think of this dish. Feedback! I need feedback!)

Back from the "Shake & Bake"

Let me begin by offering my congratulations to Cuntay, Empress of San Jose on winning first prize in the Shake & Bake contest in Hayward, California tonight, and to Mama Cantrell for taking 2nd place honors, and I came in with a third place win. All three of us donated our prize money ($75, $50, and $25 respectively) back to the ISE, and helped them raise over $500 for charity. We can all be proud of the work we did tonight.

Now, I need to tell you I would be lying if I didn't admit to being a little disappointed in not winning 1st place, but being relieved to at least have made it into the top three. Sort of like the disappointment you see on the face of the silver medal Olympic athletes who feel they came so close to the gold, and the look of relief you see on the faces of the bronze medalists who realize how close they were to total anonymity (Does ANYONE remember the guy who came in fourth place for the decathlon during the last summer games?). Oh well, I'll do better next year. I'm already planning my cake for the 2009 Shake & Bake and can only say Empress Cuntay, Mama Cantrell, you'd better watch out. I have a goal set now (evil grin).

Anyway, after everything was over and done with at the Rainbow Room, I made it to the tail-end of the "Soul Train" event they were hosting at the world famous Turf Club. It seemed like everyone was having a good time and I wish I could have been in both places at once (sigh). The only dim spot on the Turf Club function (for me at any rate) was some drunk guy going around talking about how he knew all these big time Hollywood actors, how he knew Steven Spielberg, and how he was scouting for talent for a TV sitcom and a major motion picture. Yeah, right! Loser! I could only pay attention to about every third or fourth word out of his mouth anyway. Not only God, but the Devil is in the details, and this guy (Martin I think his name was) had something stuck between his two front upper teeth. I kept wanting to hand the man some dental floss and telling him to go to the bathroom or find a mirror somewhere and take care of it.

But, one doesn't wish to be rude. Does one?

I did meet a couple of cute guys at the Shake & Bake by the way, and I'm hoping to hear from one of them soon. I would say I'll keep you informed, but I'm thinking now I won't. I don't want him scared off at the thought that I'll talk about his skill at kissing or other activities on this blog.

I need to make an apology to you all by the way. Although I always said I would name names and to hell with anyone who didn't like what I had to say, I have decided to backpedal from that statement. I was informed by a friend of mine in Hayward, who reads my blog (and like most of my readers NEVER posts a comment {learn from this "ihateise"}) told me that by naming people I work with, I was leaving myself open to lawsuits from them and our employer. So, in the interests of self preservation, not to mention the conservation of my self directed trust fund, I have deleted the names of my co-workers that previously appeared in this blog. I have changed them all to the initials of those individuals, which should be enough.

By the way, I don't think the mysterious "ihateise" is going to go out and try to get me sued, because if s/he told any of the people I work with about what I said about them in my blog, I would then learn who the mysterious (and cowardly) "ihateise" is, and that person could bet their sweet (or should I say rancid) ass that I would keep you all informed.

My Theme Song

Yes, I have a theme song. Something that says "This is who Wesley is.", and I think most (if not all) people have a theme song of their own as well that says, more or less, the same thing.

Mine is the song "Different", as sung my Cass Elliot in the H R Puffinstuff movie way back in the early 1970s (I'm somewhat 70s obsessed, but that's a blog for another time), and was the song that helped me realize, when I understood where my heart lay, that it was OK that I was gay.

Here is a "Youtube" link to the video clip taken from the movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZzfM05tSfM&feature=related.

I'm hoping that some of you will go the comments section and talk about your theme song. Give it a shot! It doesn't take much time, and surely the lowlife calling themselves "ihateise" isn't one of the few people out there who have something to say about what I have to say.

By the way, I have a suspicion about who that slimy, mouldy, putrid piece of pig shit "ihateise" actually is. I won't name the name because I have no proof positive, but if I ever do, rest assured, I will expose them and their cowardice to the world.

I'll keep you informed.

Off To The Shake & Bake

I just finished the applesauce cake I'm entering in the "Shake & Bake" competition in Hayward, California tomorrow, and I'm hoping to win the $75.00 for first prize.

My cake won't be covered in frosting or anything like that. I feel that "decorating" is more than that. To me, it's all about presentation. So, I will be presenting the cake, which was baked in my favorite bundt pan, will be sliced and arranged in a wheel pattern, with raisins, golden raisins, and mixed nuts in the center and arranged along the outer edge, the way my great-grandmother (who's recipe I'm using) liked to present it. It will be so attractive (I think anyway) it won't need frosting, and the aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves will be intoxicating. I think even if it doesn't win first prize, it will at least bring in a very high, if not the highest, price when the cakes and other baked goods are auctioned off.

The event is being held at the Rainbow Room at 21859 Mission Blvd., Hayward, CA, with the majestical Denicka St. James, empress XXV of Alameda, and Roe Flack Franklin, empress XXXI of Stockton, both of whom I am proud to count as friends. The only problem I foresee is keeping Roe, who I'll be carpooling with, from eating any of the applesauce cake on our way to Hayward. It's not that I don't trust her, I would have the same reservations with anyone riding with me to not eat any of the cake. People I've met have literally pushed and punched others out of their way to get a slice of this cake. Yes, it's that good.

I'll let you all know how it goes at the function when I get back tomorrow, and of course this Sunday is a special show at Stockton's Club Paradise hosted by the Sacramento Gay Rodeo. I plan to sing live (bring your ear plugs).

Sunday, I'll be posting my recipe for the month of June. I know it should have been done June 1st, but I was so busy that weekend, I forgot what day it was. Sorry.

A Declaration of War!

Let me start this post by talking about how much fun I had at the "Celebration of Gospel" event hosted by Imperial Crown Princess (ICP) Uneke Chanel and Imperial Crown Prince Lou Mantueful at Club Paradise (thanks for letting us use your place Chris Davis) last night (6/1/08) here in Stockton, California. The entertainers were wildly enthusiastic and energetic, the food delicious (especially the macaroni salad and 'Wesley Toll House' cookies, but I'm probably biased since I made them myself), and everybody had a good time. Through the hard work of all involved, the Imperial San Joaquin Delta Empire (ISJDE) raised over $450.00! But after the event was over, it all went sour for me.

I was working in the sound booth that night because the regular DJ was sick and couldn't make it. When everything was done, one of the performers, whom I shall simply call The Misanthrope, came up to the little window the DJ uses to see what's going on on the stage and said "Give me my CD fat-ass!" 'Fat-ass'. That was a comment that was totally uncalled for. I did nothing to invite such verbal abuse. I was so busy working in the sound booth I doubt I spoke two words to The Misanthrope during the entire evening, and for some reason she took it into her head to insult my person, and upon reflection, I think she was also the one who made the hateful and hurtful comment about an earthquake when I had to run back into the DJ booth after getting a bottled water at the bar (It's hot in that little room!).

Well Misanthrope, I don't need you to remind me of my short comings! Yes! I have a weight problem, but I have also been working very hard to bring that under control and get back into shape! Maybe you were trying to be funny and amusing like Sondra St. James. If that's the case, you failed. Miserably! Maybe your excuse is that you were drunk, and didn't mean or even know what you were saying. Well I'm sorry Alcoholic Misantrhope, but intoxication is not a valid excuse. Alcohol does NOT make you or anyone say things against their will. It removes the filters and inhibitions a person has that keeps them from saying what they already really think. Also, don't try to deny you said what you did. If you do, I will throw that lie back in your face, because I have a witness. Someone else was in the sound booth with me and heard every mean thing that you said.

The bottom line is, Misantrhope, you had no call to say to me what you did, and believe me when I say that while you started this war between us, I will finish it! That is a bit of wisdom my mother passed onto me when I was in grade school. "Never start a fight, but always finish it".

I cannot, of course, personally ban you from attending any function hosted by the ISJDE and certainly by any other chapter of the Imperial Court System, or have anyone shun you as I will shun you, but here is what I can do;

1. As far as I am concerned, you are "Persona Non Grata". A non-person. I will not see you, even if you are standing right in front of me.
2. If you ever come to an ISJDE function again to entertain and I am working the sound system, when your CD comes up in the line-up, someone else will have to place it in the player, forward to the song track, and press play, because I won't.

These two things are all that I can do, and it will have to be enough, but let me conclude with this; if you approach me with violent intent and lay so much as the tip of your little finger on me, I WILL have you arrested for assault, and I WILL have a restraining order placed on you. I advise you don't push the issue, because as I say when playing chess, "You can play to win as quickly as possible, or you can play to win no matter how long it takes". Well no one can hold a grudge as well or as long as I can! I never forget a kindness, and I NEVER forgive a fault.