While I was gone from the blog -- Part 2

I Planted an Herb Garden

At the K-Mart I bought a Tennessee whisky barrel, or actually half of one, to plant things in.

Sounds easy but the barrels are very big and very dirty. And falling apart. This one was from the Maker's Mark Distillery and was dated March 1996. As for the "whisky" vs. "whiskey" spelling debate click here for some background information.

The inside is burned until it's like charcoal, the staves are all loose and the rings are heavily rusted. It does have a nice aroma of Bourbon whisky though.

After I got it home I filled it with a huge amount of dirt and planted, counter-clockwise fron the front center: Greek Oregano, Serrano Pepper (medium hot), Thyme, Genovese Sweet Basil, Cilantro and Giant Marconi Pepper (not hot). After watering the plants for a week the moisture made the barrel staves swell up and it is now water-tight and much more stable.

The picture is three weeks later and everything has doubled in size. The peppers are in bloom and there are several baby peppers growing already. Salsa, anyone?

Guess who's back? Back again!

I'm back. Back at the blog. It has been too long, but it has been a busy time. Sorry. Over the next few posts I'll let you know what's been going on and what could possibly keep me away from the 'net these many weeks.

First I had foot trouble. Actually toenail trouble and had to spend a lot of time with medical appointments. My regular MD said he should yank it off, but maybe I should see a podiatrist first. Lucky for me this specialist fixed it and my other problem toenails as well. At last I could walk without limping.

Also I have to take this very expensive medicine for 12 weeks and if I have more than one cocktail a day my liver will fall off.

So here is a poster to help us remember vodka and a brief film history of the beverage.

No Brokeback For The Bahamas

According to today's Newsday, The Bahamas' Plays and Films Control Board -- the Commonwealth's official entertainment censor, has banned Brokeback Mountain.

"The board chose to ban it because it shows extreme homosexuality, nudity and profanity, and we feel that it has no value for the Bahamian public," Chavasse Turnquest-Liriano, liaison officer for the control board, said Wednesday.

Apparently the government officials are convinced that the simple island natives are actually simpleminded. Likely to be led astray by seeing the film.

And exactly what is extreme homosexuality? I think I would have heard about it. Are there online tutorials? Would homosexuality light been OK with the censors?

Some have suggested a boycott of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Others say write angry letters to their tourist board. I say send them a postcard and ask for tourist info. They will send endless mailings of slick, colorful booklets that cost them a fortune to print and mail.

Just remember to toss them out as they arrive. If you are gay you are not wlecome in The Bahamas, so don't go.

In the States the address is Bahamas Tourist Office, 1200 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324. Or call toll free, 1-800-224-3681.

To read the whole article click here.

Forget the Eurovision Song Contest

Get your tickets for the Mr. Heterosexual Contest, now!

Tired of hearing about gay contests such as the "Mr. Gay International Pagent?" Want just a teeny more intolerance in this world of ours? A Massachusetts talk show host has created the "Mr. Heterosexual Contest."

Sadly I have found no mention of the rules for the event's bathing suit competition.

Tom Crouse is host of the radio program Engaging Your World. The show is heard on several radio stations in the northeastern United States. Crouse is also pastor of Holland Congregational Church in Holland, Massachusetts.

According to the bio on his website, in his 43 years he has "led a rock band, wrestled professionally, been a VP of marketing for a private payphone business, owned his own business and sold everything from lawn care to kitchen cabinets to industrial painting equipment." Certainly the ideal background for someone who knows that homos are sinners and can be cured.

You can learn a lot more about him and his points of view at the Mr. Hetero site. Maybe it's just me but the guy seems to have a love of publicity and a good sized chip on his shoulder. Maybe it's from the years of pro wrestling?

Bondi Beach sights

Giant tourist/aliens terrify gay surfers in van on Australia's famed, semi-gay Bondi Beach near Sydney.

Digital Photograph by Brian Robson

But seriously folks...check out Chris Geary's site and his photos of the beach population during the Gay Games in Sydney.