I was reading this news about how Prince Harry is for sure going to serve in the Iraq war. He has been quoted as saying "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," Harry has said. The head of the British army, Chief General Richard Dannatt, said he has personally decided Prince Harry will go to Iraq.

Ok Harry, so you are brave and want to survey your country. That is honorable. However my problem is that a person of this high of a profile in a war time situation is only going to put others in harms way. He is a target. The enemy knows this, and will do whatever they can to get their target. Even if the British Army waists extra effort trying to protect him, they are still putting innocent solders in harms way. If this was peace time, perhaps that would be a different story, but this is a time where the terrorists are trying to make a BIG statement. What better way to do that by killing a Royal. A family that the world looks up to. Princess Diana's 2nd Child, 3rd in line for the throne. I'm really baffled at this decision. The arrogance of Chief Richard Dannatt for saying he "Personally" decided this. Well chief, you might want to retract that statement if anything happens, because it will be blood on your hand. Royal blood and that of his fellow comrades.

You know when I moved here 11 years ago, I really felt like this was my time to shine, and it really was. I knew immediately that I was going to be true to myself and vacate that claustrophobic closet. I knew that down here in Phoenix I no longer needed to hide myself from anyone. No one knew me.

Christmas Eve 1995 I came out to my mother. I was already over that hurdle so now moving on with my life in Phoenix just 5 months later was the time to build a new life for myself. It was a way for me to build my confidence in being gay, and surrounding myself with gay friends. Up until the time I moved here, I was surrounded only by a few and it was very secretive. Being in the military you can imagine that I had to watch who I told what. There was always a fear that someone was trying to trick me into telling them I was gay so that they could turn me in and get me kicked out. I had to really watch what I said and to who or is i whom? I didn't care, it was just taboo...

Before internet was big, in fact to give you a true sense of what the technology was like, I communicated with someone here in Phoenix via the M4M room on the Beta version of AOL. The AOL that when you sent a message, the screen would disappear, and when they wrote back 20 min later, you forgot what they said. You had to pay per log in so my AOL bill was like $300 a month. On top of that, we had to dial long distance to get the service because I lived about 8 miles from Downtown Minot North Dakota. Rural area's are like this, and so my phone bill was extremely expensive too. I guess to me it was worth it.

I worked graveyard shifts or as we called them in the Air Force "Mid Shift". I was off at 7am and went back to my dorm and started chatting with people. I wanted to talk to people in Phoenix to get an idea what it was really like down there since I had never been. Some guys were totally dirty and just wanted to have phone sex, which I thought not only was weird and didn't do anything for me, but like I was going to give out my phone # to some perv? This was back in the Don't Ask Don't Tell days and I just didn't need to go there. Eventually when I was very close to getting out, I started talking to this guy named Shawn. He was really helpful and he was genuinely concerned about my move down to Phoenix. He didn't have any expectations and he was just trying to be friendly. Shawn and I talked for about a month and then I got to thinking he was an alright guy. He offered to send me some info on apartments since I was going to need to start that process. I gave him my address, and he sent a few apartment guides for the area and then a couple of the gay magazines (Echo & The Odyssey) I was scarred and thrilled at the same time. I looked through them to see what I could find out about the area and was happy to know there were TONS of bars and somewhat of a gay community. Up till that point, I had only been to one gay bar and that was sneaking off with my friend Chuck and going up to Winnipeg on New Years Eve.

The time finally came for me to move. At the time, my mom lived in South Dakota, so it was 6 hour drive south. I ended up running off the road (thats a story for another time) and needed to stay in Rapid City for a little longer than I expected in order to get my car fixed. I eventually got on the road to Phoenix.

My first night in town, wow it was incredible. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I had just signed my lease for my apartment. It was almost 5pm on a Friday night and I remember having to race there in rush hour traffic to get their before they closed. They said they will not wait past 5pm. Once I signed for my lease, I got into my apartment (site unseen, which could have been a disaster but wasn't) and was thrilled. It was my own place, but now I needed some stuff. I headed out to find a store to get stocked up on the essentials. It was such a beautiful night, and coming from North Dakota anything would have been great but it was like 70 degrees and great.

Later that evening, after the trip to the store, I made my way over to Shawn's house. Talk about no manners, I totally showed up without calling. I didn't have my phone set up yet, and was so lonely being in a strange town and not knowing anyone. He was at Happy Hour with his boyfriend, but his roommate invited me in and I hung out for a bit. He showed up a little while later, and was surprised to see me. Looking back now, that had to be annoying and unexpected, but I was young and didn't know better I guess. We talked for a bit and he turned out to be a really nice guy. He was nice enough to offer to hang out the next day and take me all around. He took me to the Art Festival in Tempe, and then that night to some bars in town. I haven't seen Shawn in a few years, acutally probably more like 9 years, so I don't exactly know what he is up to. I hope he is well, and I thank him for helping me with my move here....

So if you didn't already know, there is a gathering in San Francisco this year over gay pride weekend. Its the Gay Blogger Summit and its the 2nd Annual event since it was a huge hit last year. Dan of DanNation graciously hosted the event in his loft last year, but since the outpour of interest has made it impossible to fit everyone into that space, he has moved the party down the block to a bar. It will be ours for the night. The good thing about this event is you will be able to meet people you have read so much about, you will be able to go to Gay Pride in San Francisco, and the best ever is that if you go, you get to see a live recording of The Jimmi & Dan VarietyCast. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to meet some of the most colorful characters I have read so much about. So you want the info?






Gay Blogger Summit II
Friday, June 22nd, 2007 at 7pm
The Gallery Lounge
510 Brannan Street (at 4th Street)
San Francisco, CA
GAY PRIDE WEEKEND

If you didn’t receive an evite and would like to join us, please be sure to go here and invite yourself. If that doesn’t work, be sure to email Dan at DanNationBlog@gmail.com and he will add you.

Oh and we will be letting you know how to get T-Shirts and other stuff for this event soon. Stay Tuned!

I was just thinking yesterday as I was cleaning house, in preparation for a little BBQ we had for some of Kevin's Co-workers, about how long I have been living in Phoenix. Its been 11 years this month. Where has the time gone? Why has it went by so quickly? What the hell is Madonna talking about Time Goes By So Slowly? LOL

I remember the day like it was yesterday pulling into Phoenix for the first time. Scared at the new beginning, and a beginning all alone and not knowing a sole. I had never been here before but after living so long in cold climates, the last being stationed in Minot, North Dakota, I had to find a place to move that was warm. May 1996 and I was leaving the Air Force, and moving to Phoenix, Arizona in pursuit of a new life, one were I could finally be open about my sexuality. I had made all the preparations via the mail/FedEx and phone since the internet wasn't really that big or available. I got my apartment in Mesa, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, at the recommendation of a friend. Not necessarily the best advise, but the apartment I got was really cute! The distance to downtown Phoenix was about 20 miles Not close if I wanted to explore my gay side. I remember always driving into town and going to a bar that is no longer around called "Metro Dance Factory". It has since been bulldozed and turned into a "El Polo Loco" go figure. I met my first boyfriend at that bar, and did what most young gay inexperienced men do, moved in with him. Yet another big mistake but hey, I was learning at the same time.

Over the next few years I would meet people that woudl become close friends. I had my ups and downs due to layoffs, break ups, and silly dramas but one thing is true, I had fun no matter what! I think I probably also set the record of the most moves in the last 11 years. Ok here is the run down:

1st -May 1996 - Crestwood Apts, Mesa AZ (1st Apartment alone)
2nd - July 1996 - Ingleside Apts, Phoenix AZ (Moved in with boyfriend and his 2 roommates)
3rd - Aug 1996 (Aprox) - Ingleside Apts, Phoenix AZ (Moved into smaller apt. one roommate moved out)
4th - Nov 1996 (Aprox) - Ingleside Apts, Phoenix AZ (Moved AGAIN, into Larger apt. friend David moves up from Tucson)
5th - March 1997 - The Peaks Apt, Phoenix, AZ (Moved out after living with ex-boyfriend and in with new roommate.
6th - March 1998 - Condo, Phoenix AZ (Moved out of Peaks for a place of my own.)
7th - May 1999 - New Condo, Phoenix AZ (Moved in with friend Chuck when he left military and moved to Phoenix.)
8th - June 2000 - Jefferson On Central Apts, Phoenix AZ (Moved into own place again)
9th - Aug 2000 - Jefferson at Steel Park Apts , Phoenix AZ (Moved to Apartments I worked for)
10th - Jan 2002 - Serena Shores Apt, Gilbert AZ (Moved in with friend after being laid off of work)
11th - Aug 2002 - Acappella Apts , Phoenix AZ (Got back on my feet and moved into my own place again. Acapella also known by the gays as Alcohol because there was always a party)
12th - Aug 2005 - Current Condo, Phoenix AZ (living with my boyfriend Kevin)

11 years later, and many many many dwellings and men later, just kidding, well kinda, I now live with my boyfriend Kevin. We have been together for almost 2 years and I am so lucky to be where I am today. I guess it is true that you have to kiss a lot of toads in order to find your prince. So I guess being sad that the time has flown by so quickly is fine as as long as I am able to spend the rest of my time with someone I love.

Sorry Sanjaya, your time has come and it is time for you to move on. Maybe American Idol should have a "catch phrase" like Top Design "See You Later Decorator" or Top Chef "Please Pack your Knives and Go" Or the ever famous Heidi Klum saying "Auf Wiedersehen". Hmmm What could they say when you leave American Idol? As if singing the song that got you kicked off in the first place wasn't bad enough... Ok how about "Please pack your Mic and go!" or "Mic Check, Get off the stage!"

This weekend was Crazy busy. Along with it being Gay Pride in Phoenix we also had a few guests in from out of town. I got to finally meet Dr. Joel. He's a great guy and I was excited to finally get to meet him since he doesn't live that far only a 5 1/2 hour drive to San Diego. I was supose to meet up with Six from Actorschmactor, but unfortunately it seemed like we never did get the chance. Our schedules didn't meet up. Saturday we started at the Parade. I met up with my friend David, Norm and Chris. I will say that I was very disappointed that there was a lack of creativity in the parade. I would show you pictures but is it really worth it? Then I went to get Kevin and we went over to Norm and Chris's for a little lunch before going over to the park for the festival. Once there, I quickly recorded an episode of the Jimmi & Dan Variety Cast remotely while in the park. We managed to stick around long enough to catch Judy Tenuta perform.

Sunday was great, Kevin and I had some housing cleaning to do, then we jetted over to pick up Dr. Joel and had lunch at Fez. 3 Cosmo's later then Joe showed up and we made our way a few blocks to the festival again. We wanted to catch the Jimmy James show. I saw him back in NYC when I was there in December and had to catch him again. He was great. Well here are some pictures of the weekend.

David Enjoying Some Shade

Norm & Chris

Jimmi & Kevin

Joe Eating Chicken at his Rugby Booth

Judy Tenuda

Kevin, Joe, & Joel at Fez

Jimmi & Dr. Joel

Jimmy James

Along with Gay Pride, I ended up getting both of the podcasts recorded this weekend. Lord help me I was busy. So give a listen to both of them if you would ;)

This weekend I got myself a new car. I LOVE IT! I had a 2003 Honda Accord LX, but then decided I wanted to upgrade it and went with a 2007 Honda Accord EX. It has some nice additional features that I just had to have ;) I love the moon/sunroof, I have 16"alloy rims, 6disk changer, stereo controls on the steering wheel, and a bunch of other things. It does drive much better than my last one. Not sure if its the wheels or what. I got the car in Graphite Pearl. I LOVE That color, and I do still need to get the windows tinted because in AZ its petty much needed since the sun is only 50 feet way from us. ha ha (I will be sure to get some pictures of my car on here as soon as I take some)

After reading a post on Scott-O-Ramma's site last week I got myself familiar with the singer Mika. Scott mentioned how this singer might have the same problem selling his music in America like Robbie Williams. He does have a different style that is different from the popular Hip Hop stage music is in these days. However I did hear a commercial this weekend for T-mobile or Cingular using one of his songs so maybe he will make it here. Who knows. I am totally hooked on one song in particular called "Grace Kelly". I LOVE it and encourage you to check him out. I think you will like...

Last night i watched "The US vs. John Lennon". Pretty good documentary if you like John Lennon like I do. I learned a lot from this film and even became more infuriated with the way our current administration is going with our current war when past presidents have made such bad decisions in the past. The weird and scary thing is, we seem to be in pretty much the same kind of situation we were in back in the early 70's. Frustrated citizens, senseless war, senseless killings, and a president that is more worried about his ego than listening to his country and political colleagues. How odd that Religion played a major roll back then too... Here are a few inspiring quotes from John Lennon "Possession isn't nine-tenths of the law. It's nine-tenths of the problem." "You have to be more politically aware in a day and age like this, its impossible to close your eyes to it".