WORLD AIDS DAY

There are an estimated 38 million people in the world today living with AIDS. We have stood by and watched this monster become one of the largest epidemics of our generation. I challenge everyone to wear a red ribbon tomorrow. Make a donation to an AIDS charity. Work at a soup kitchen....do something. If you do not have time to physically do something, take a moment and reflect quietly on the over 25 million dead and 38 million infected.

I will be at work tomorrow, on World AIDS day. As a makeup artist for MAC, I am proud to be working tomorrow. I will be speaking to every one of my customers about the AIDS virus and what they can do to help. At MAC, every day is World AIDS Day. The MAC AIDS Fund was created to give back to the community every single day in a major way. MAC has raised over 100 million dollars. This money is given to groups to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS. Every day of the year, MAC sells VIVA GLAM lipsticks and lipglasses. 100% of the retail price paid for this item goes to the MAC AIDS fund. Ever wonder what ONE LIPSTICK can buy? Think on this:

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick will provide health insurance for a child orphaned by AIDS in China for NINE MONTHS.

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick will provide food for an entire support group meeting.

One $14 tube of Viva Glam will buy 1000 condoms in India.

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick can fund fourteen Aids test in Hayti

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick will buy two weeks of groceries for an HIV positive person in the US.

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick will buy one month of food, shelter, medical aid and schooling to a child orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick will buy one dose of anti-retroviral drugs to four mothers and their babies to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child in Africa.

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick will buy five days of housing for a family of three in the USA.

One $14 tube of Viva Glam lipstick will buy four HIV tests enabling people to learn their status.

Ever thought you couldn't make a difference. Now you can.

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John Allan's

Here is a story I wrote a while back for a magazine. It never ran, so I thought I would share it with you people. It is about John Allan's, a salon here in the city.
____

When you walk in to the door of any John Allan’s Club, you are immediately greeted, seated, and fitted with a black “smoking jacket” type garment with John Allan’s logo on the breast. Looking around the room you see a dozen or so overstuffed brown leather tuck-and-roll chairs filled with well-dressed gentlemen socializing, sipping beer, listening to the cool jazz constantly streaming from the sound system, or waiting for their turn at the classic-style red velvet pool table in the corner. A few men are seated at the bar, sipping from their private liquor reserves (which are stored on the premises with your name on them for your personal use only); and others are tucked away in the cigar room smoking and watching sports or news on television. You could be at any high class gentlemen’s club in the city. The only difference is that John Allan’s is not a private club; it is one of New York City’s most famous men’s salons.

In the good-ole days, a men’s salon was called a “barber shop”. You wait your turn in a Barbisol-soaked environment to have the barber give you a shave and a haircut and fill you in on the town’s business. That’s a little too Mayberry for New York City, but John Allan’s does fulfill that primal male need for comfort, socialization, class and grooming with four locations in Manhattan.

Most men interested in “grooming” would have to swallow their pride and go to a salon which specializes in women’s needs: hair color, acrylic nails, bikini waxing, and celebrity gossip magazines. John Allan’s is an oasis of testosterone for the male who needs a little extra care. The most popular package, the “Full Service” is a reasonable $65 and includes a scalp massage with shampoo, a heated towel for the face, a manicure, a haircut, a shoe-shine, and all the draft beer you care to drink. Adorning the magazine racks are copies of Forbes, BusinessWeek, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Golf Magazine. The clientele are a mixture of young professionals and older gentlemen.

My stylist, Danny, is from Alaska and we spent the entire session debating who had suffered more culture shock upon his arrival to New York City. A Southern boy, I saw his frozen tundra and raised him a Boll Weevil Monument. During our rather heated and animated discussion, I eventually noticed something extraordinary: Danny was cutting my hair with a straight razor. I immediately commented on the fact, and he assured me that my ears were not in danger. I resisted the urge to tell the lovely woman performing my manicure not to push my cuticles so hard. I winced, bore the pain, and tried not to move at all. Danny eventually loosened me up again (read: brought me another beer), and we were off again discussing our childhood—the fear of losing an ear had left me.

After finishing the haircut I was treated to a shoe shine that rivaled Granddaddy’s. I was then free to socialize, drink, play pool, smoke a cigar, or merely hang out and read magazines. After buying a few products, I went to the register to pay and was able to tip individually my stylists in small envelopes. My coat and bag were returned to me and I exited John Allan’s back into the hustle and bustle of Park Avenue feeling a more nostalgic than I had an hour earlier. I had just experienced something I thought only existed in stories my grandfather told me and old black and white movies. I was given an opportunity to visit an era I thought long gone: one where men had a place to go to just be men.

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A Survey

MY STORY.

Hi, my name is: Daniel Noland Meredith

but you can call me: Daniel

Never in my life have I: Done something that I regret.

The one person who can drive me nuts is: our current president.

My high school is/was: Lighthouse Christian Academy

When I’m nervous: My tummy hurts.

The last song I listened to was: According to my ITunes--"Easy Silence" by the Dixie Chicks. Such a great song.

If I were to get married right now it would be to: Unfortunately, this administration does not recognize my love.

My hair is: still in bed head mode.

When I was 4: I thought that my Granny J was the best thing in the world. I still do.

Last Christmas: Justen and I spent the holiday alone together here in the apartment with Naomi. It was the closest thing to perfect I have ever experienced.

I should be: eating.

When I look down I see: crotch.

The happiest recent event was: me and Justen holding Naomi and singing happy birthday to her.

If I were a character on ‘Friends’ i'd be: canceled, but still in syndication.

By this time next year: I'll probably still be sitting here doing this. Hopefully I will be a union actor then.

My current gripe is: i hate it when it is hot.

I have a hard time understanding: cellphones and fax machines. It weirds me out that there are conversations flying around all the time.

If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: Justen.

I want to buy: a new mattress.

I plan to visit next: the New York Library for the Performing Arts

If you spent the night at my house: I would have to pull out the air mattress. And you would have to share it with Naomi.

The world could do without: Conservatives.

Most recent thing I’ve bought myself: A mattress topper.

Most recent thing someone else bought me: food.

My middle name is: Noland. It is my grandmother's maiden name.

In the morning I: hate waking up.

Last night I was: working.

There’s this guy I know who: is a movie star.

If I was an animal I’d be a: dog. But I would want to be a dog in my home. Not just anywhere. Otherwise, I would be a manatee.

A better name for me would be: I think that Daniel does just fine.

Tomorrow I am: working. again.

Tonight I am: working.

My birthday is: March 16. Pisces.

THANKS JEN NELSON LANE FOR THE SURVEY!!!

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How Come ....

...when I get into the audition room, the piano is out of tune, the accompanist is playing like she is in a room the size of the Met rather than the shoe box we are actually in, and I accidentally grabbed the resumes that have one of my roles misspelled?

All I am trying to do is get a leg up. Sometimes it feels like someone else has a bigger leg up, and it is hiked up and peeing on me. Just thoughts on the audition that I blew yesterday.....

First of all, I have been wanting to audition for this company for a while. I'm not going to say what it is, because it would embarrass me. The company is Equity, so yesterday I went in expecting to wait. I got there right on time, and no one else did. I asked if they would see non-AEA, they said sure--and just to hang out for a bit. Thirty seconds later, they came back and said that they were ready for me.

The piano sounded like one of those symphonies that I used to beat out on Granny J's pots and pans. I asked her to give me a B before I started. She did, and I looked at her and said, "Really?" I thought maybe I was just anxious, and that the B really was that low. As soon as she started playing I realized that the piano was all over the place. I transposed on the fly dropping down 2 keys to more closely follow what I was hearing. Now my up-tempo song to show off my range sounded like something I could sing after a pack of cigarettes.

They asked me to sing another up tempo. I looked in my bag, and all I had were 2 ballads. One was from an operetta. The other up-tempo must still be in the printer. UGGGG. So, I sang. Then read the side. Secretly inside I was wishing they would just say "Thanks" and put me out of this misery. Could they possibly be considering me? Or are they just torturing me because the rain has kept everyone else away. There they were enjoying their coffee and doughnuts. There I was melting. All scored by "Accompanist's Pots and Pans in the relative key of E flat". They asked me about a credit on my resume. Then asked me why I misspelled the name of the role. I explained that I had grabbed the resumes from the junk pile. You know---the pile that you are supposed to glue new resumes over what is there....

When I got back home, I climbed in the bed, and told Justen that we should just pretend that I never got up this morning.

Welcome to a Day In The Life of Daniel Meredith. You think you know, but you have no idea.

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Too Old

I got typed out of audition today for being too old.
Don't know how I feel about that. Typing makes me so crazy sometimes. With all that training on how to appear old, young, etc...why can't they let me at least try to wow them with my talent?

That is why I feel like this man today.

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I can't

Yes. That was Clay Aiken singing "SexyBack"
I have no words. Remember, he still insists that he is heterosexual.

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Secrets

This is a new video from one of my favorite blogs/sites ever....PostSecret

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Zombie Scare

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Only in New York

She told Jen and Marcus that you could only get these in Florida.

I found some at the CVS on Broadway on Astoria.

So I ate them.

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Dance it Out

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Thrown Back In

Fingers shaking, insides vibrating
I boarded the plane.

Back to the city.

"Just water, please"
"I mean Ginger Ale"
"No, just water."
Tears in my eyes.

"Are you okay?" 11-B said.
"Yes, It's just hard"
"To fly?"

Then I told her.

Then
she
hugged
me

"I have grand children too"

And I realized that the hardest part of flying
is leaving the ground.

And that the hardest part of leaving

Is Being Left Behind.

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In Memory

I have been reclusive for the past few weeks, and I thought that it was about time that I spoke about what is going on in my life. Anyone who knows me well, knows that my family is a huge part of my life, and certain members of said family have played a strong part in making me who I am today. One of those family members is my maternal grandmother, Granny J.

I have got hundreds of stories about Granny J, from saving my life many times (literally) to falling asleep in fried rice. Granny and I had a very special relationship. Born a little less than 70 years ago, Granny J was a true Southern Woman. She brought herself up from nothing (literally--she lived in a boxcar for a while) to become a force to be reckoned with.

On May 1, Granny thought that she was developing pneumonia, so she went into the hospital. While there, the doctors thought that she may have had a heart attack. Later she went on to have a heart cath and repair of an aortic aneurysm. All the time I was here in NYC waiting to be able to speak to her after she got out of the intensive care unit. Finally, I was able to speak to her.

On the morning of May 11th, I received a phone call that Granny J had a major stroke while in the unit, and it had affected her left side. I was told to come on home. (I had just spoken to Granny on Thursday, and she couldnt wait to get home--She was sitting up, eating, and getting ready to go to rehab from her surgery). Apparently Friday evening she threw a huge clot.

When I got home Saturday afternoon, it didnt look good. She was unable to speak, swallow, move or do anything. She was responsive, but uncomfortable. Being a trauma nurse for her life, Granny had wishes that she receive no artificial nutrition or any life support whatsoever. Basically, for the next week, the only thing she had in her body was morphine. Hospice came in to help prepare the family for the upcoming death, and they were great. I had dealt with them when my other grandmother passed, and knew how wonderful they are.

From May 11th until May 30th, I kept a silent vigil beside Granny's hospital bed. Holding her hand and watching her die. I vascillated between anger and utter peace. There is something very beautiful about letting someone leaving this world with the dignity that they displayed while in this world.

Eventually, Granny J passed away. We told her that we would "see her in the mornin'" and to "go rest high on that mountain"...things we have always said.

Granny J was a very proud and private woman. Her wishes were that she would have no viewing, and no funeral. She said "if people didn't come see me when I was alive, I sure as hell don't want them looking at me when I am dead". With a reluctant chuckle, we all agreed that we would keep those wishes. At some point in the near future, Granny J and Granddaddy J's cremains will be scattered into the Gulf of Mexico off of Gulf Shores--their oasis.

I still have great difficulty speaking about this out loud. I have great difficulty socializing. I rarely answer my phone, and reluctantly return emails. Please understand.

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Today

Has been bad. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. More to come.

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Daniel on TELEVISION

If you tune into HGTV tomorrow at 3:30 Eastern, you will see Justen and I on FREE STYLE.

It also will be re-airing on the 14th.

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My First Flame

As a blogger, I pretty much know that no matter what I say or post on here, I have agreed that it be available to everyone in the world. As you also may not know, my most read blog on here is one I posted a while back called Diarrhea Donut Shop. This post (which you may also visit too) is the one that brings most of my visitors. For whatever reason, people search for "diarrhea" or "watery bowels" and my blog comes up. Anyways, regarding a photo I have posted there I received my first flame. The language is quite bad, so I will post it after the jump...

Anonymous said...

you ass hole, stupid, how dare you put that picture of an epidemic child to illustrate such vanal and careless comentary. who the hell do you think you are? i wish you die from a diarrea, like a lot of people in the world who dont leisurely walk!!

I have a few things to say to this. FIRST, I wish that people that comment or judge me please use capital letters to begin their sentences. Secondly, I think that the last sentence is a death threat. Thirdly, if you are ballsy enough to call me an "ass hole" please also be "vanal" enough to leave your name or email address. What the hell does "vanal" mean?

Now, I pose to you, my other two readers...should I leave this comment up, or delete it?

UPDATE: "vanal" is indeed not a word. Also, judging from the commenter's spelling of diarrhea (diarrhea), this person speaks Spanish. (This is the Spanish word for watery bowels.) Please see other translations HERE. (I, too, have misspelled the word.) The correct English Spelling of the word is....Diarrhea. The British spell it diarrhoea. Please see article here.

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Fainting Goat

My mom had a fainting goat. She used to try so hard to get it to faint, and it never did. I think she got a dud.

She said that they used to bang pots and pans together in front of the goat. nothing. Wonder what that goat thought? Probably, "Why the hell is this crazy ass woman banging pots and pans in my face and hollering?"

Just a thought. Oh, click the hyperlink. There's an International Fainting Goat Association.

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Do you know Dolphins?

I think I am going to start regularly exploring different animals on the blog. Here is the first: The Dolphin.

I am extremely passionate about animal welfare. I have supported animal rights for years. There is a part of me who really wants to be a marine biologist and conservationist who spends his days saving sea turtles and manatees and other creatures. Perhaps one of the most beautiful and interesting of all the sea creatures is the dolphin.

Despite popular belief, the dolphin and the porpoise are different animals. There are almost forty different species of dolphin. They range in size from 4 feet (Maui Dolphin) to 30 feet (the Orca). The dolphin lives in every sea in the world, but they prefer the shallower waters of the Continental Shelves. Dolphins are carnivores: their diet consists mostly of squid and fish. Dolphins evolved about ten million years ago, during the Miocene.

ANATOMY
Modern dolphin skeletons have two small, rod-shaped pelvic bones thought to be vestigial hind legs.

Dolphins have a streamlined fusiform body, adapted for fast swimming. The basic colouration patterns are shades of grey with a light underside and a distinct dark cape on the back. It is often combined with lines and patches of different hue and contrast.

The head contains the melon, a round organ used for echolocation. In many species, the jaws are elongated, forming a distinct beak; for some species like the Bottlenose, there is a curved mouth which looks like a fixed smile. Teeth can be very numerous (up to two hundred and fifty) in several species. The dolphin brain is large and has a highly structured cortex, which often is referred to in discussions about their advanced intelligence.

Unlike most mammals, dolphins do not have hair, but they are born with a few hairs around the tip of their rostrum which they lose after some time, in some cases even before they are born. The only exception to this is the Boto river dolphin, which does have some small hairs on the rostrum.

SENSES
Most dolphins have acute eyesight, both in and out of the water, and their sense of hearing is superior to that of humans. However, dolphins lack an olfactory nerve and lobes and thus are believed to have no sense of smell, but they can taste and do show preferences for certain kinds of fish.

INTELLIGENCE & SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Dolphins are social, living in pods (also called "schools") of up to a dozen individuals. The individuals communicate using a variety of clicks, whistles and other vocalizations. It is thought that dolphins have their own language. Members of a pod may even have a language that is just their own, as well as a universal language. Dolphins can establish strong bonds between each other. This leads to them staying with injured or ill individuals for support. In May 2005, researchers in Australia discovered a cultural aspect of dolphin behaviour: Some dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) teach their children to use tools. The dolphins break sponges off and cover their snouts with them thus protecting their snouts while foraging. (see photo at right) They are also willing to occasionally approach humans and playfully interact with them in the water. Dolphins have also been known to protect swimmers from sharks by swimming circles around them.

Dolphins often leap above the water surface, sometimes performing acrobatic figures (e.g. the spinner dolphin). Dolphins are used in animal-assisted therapy, particularly for children and adults with Down syndrome and autism.

The year 2007 has been declared as (International) Year of the Dolphin by the United Nations and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

THREAT
Every October, in Japan, dolphins are herded together an massacred for food and also collected to be sold to water parks and zoos. Below, I have a documentary from PBS featuring Hardy Jones, a photographer who went to Japan to do a documentary on dolphins. What he found there shocked him. It will shock you too.

How Can You Help?
Many people are not comfortable with groups like PETA and their guerrila-like tactics and agendas. There is a group called Blue Voice (which was founded by Ted Danson) to help save Dolphins and Whales. Their website is a tome of information on what you can do to help. Every little bit does help. In addition to spreading the word, open your mouth! Blog about this, tell your friends! Never, I repeat NEVER patronize places like Sea World that profit from exploiting these creatures. Volunteer. Pray. Light a Candle. Just do Something. Start by watching this documentary.

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Too Much Beyonce

I have always wondered what would happen if someone had too much Beyonce. Most days, I feel like I have already had too much Beyonce. Take a look at the clip after the jump, and let me know what you think. Is this person a victim of too much Beyonce??

Too Much Beyonce?
Uploaded by apartment3b

He's good, huh?

UPDATE: Many thanks to Frank at OMG Blog for giving this tiny blog a shout out.

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Mold Removal

In New York City, mold in your home is a problem. This problem also exists outside of the city as well, but due to the age of our buildings and other horrible things, toxic mold is a huge issue here.

Now, unless, like Justen and myself, you have had your ceiling fall in revealing all sorts of black mold colonies, you may not be able to tell the condition of your inner walls without doing much damage. I have recently learned that many mold detection services are using specially trained dogs (like the one above--named Hunter) to detect mold in your home. Basically, to understand why dogs are so good at this, you need to learn a little about mold.


Mold is a product of excessive moisture. Most moisture problems go unnoticed and unchecked for many years not because people don't care, but because most of the detrimental aspects of the damage are usually invisible. The way that homes are constructed now makes mold detection practically impossible. It is possible to sample the air in your house and get a spore count, but you have no idea where the mold is coming from--just that it is there. Now we have all seen mold at least once. Chances are, you grew it in science class, have some growing in your shower now, or maybe even have some fruit or bread with a little growing on it.

Penicillin is a mold. Its healing properties have saved millions of people from death. Our bodies are full of bacterium that help us live. But not all molds are as friendly. As molds thrive, they produce three things: spores, gasses and toxins. The spores are mostly confined to an area, and inside of a wall, it is hard for them to escape--unless there is a hole or crack. The big problem is the gasses released by the molds. The gasses mold produces are detected by the human nose as a "musty smell". Unlike spores, gasses can easily penetrate walls and build-up indoors creating discomfort and causing health complaints such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. While this seems like a terrible thing, these gasses are the key to the solution.

The dog's nose is hundreds of times more sensitive than ours. New Jersey Mold Removal is a company that uses specially trained dogs to "sniff out" these gasses. These dogs are led through your space, and sniff around, and alert the handler to the presence of toxic molds. Their noses easily pick up on the nuances of the smells of the different molds. This method is much less intrusive than what happened to us. It is also another way that companion animals are being used to help humanity. Dogs love to "work", it is their nature. Nothing makes them feel more alive than the hunt. This toxic mold hunting is a perfect job for these dogs.

So next time that your pooch is sniffing around, just think what might be behind those walls.

This post was sponsored by New Jersey Mold Company. I support them because of their use of companion animals in such a beneficial way.

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Wet Nose Therapy

Sometimes our pets seem to have a sixth sense about them. Anyone who knows Justen and I also knows Naomi. (The photo above is not her--that is mom's dog) She greets everyone in the house with joy, love, and hundreds of kisses.

Lately, since I have been unemployed and home more often than before, Naomi has been at my side the whole time. She sits with us on the sofa, keeps us warm in the bed at night, snuggles when we are sad, and all she asks in return is love. A good belly rub every now and again and sometimes a little fun outside. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Naomi lives completely in the moment. She has no regrets, no guilt, no nothing. If she is happy, she is 100% happy. If she is scared, her entire body quivers with fear. If she is tired, she immediately drops into sleep.


Naomi has job too, around the house. She barks at intruders. (and neighbors, and puppies, and just about anyone who comes in the building). She makes sure that if we drop any food on the floor that it is quickly eaten. She makes sure that we are always able to rub her belly if we want to. These are her simple jobs. She also listens when we talk to her, and never talks back. When I am on the sofa watching tv, she makes sure that she is nearby to cuddle. Unless she would rather be in the bed.

Through it all, our pets give so much more than they receive. We kiss them, feed them, walk them, etc. and ask for nothing in return. I know that not everyone is a pet person, but I think that everyone can empathize with the feeling of a being of unconditional love.

In China, dogs are bred for their fur. When they reach a marketable size, the handlers will bang their heads on a rock then skin them alive, tossing the skinless carcasses away to rot in the sun. This fur makes its way in to many of our clothes.

Here in the USA, the land of the free and home of the brave, our animals that are unwanted are disposed of, or used for experimentation. Our government requires that all of our drugs be tested on animals before being approved for human use. REQUIRES. (Even though there are models that more closely simulate the human body). We are a long way off from changing this, and it is a long, slow process. I am constantly writing letters.

Something that is in everyone's hands to change is cosmetic and household product testing. The lipstick that you are wearing may have been forced into a rabbit's eye before you could purchase it. Your hairspray may have been sprayed repeatedly into dog's eyes to determine how much would blind them. The lotion that you put on your skin was probably force fed to dogs to see how much it would take to make them ill. Why? Why not. The animals can not speak out for themselves. It is cheaper for the companies to purchase unwanted animals than to purchase human skin simulation. How can you stop this? Educate yourself. Purchase products that are not tested on animals. Be careful. Many companies do not test on animals, but get their products from people who do.

Write letters. Write to Procter and Gamble on behalf of the Naomi's of the world. Write a letter to pet-friendly companies thanking them--on behalf of the Naomi's of the world. It doesn't cost a thing. You can email them. go to PETA for help. The Naomi's of the world thank you. In their own way.

Know what---even if you never wrote a letter, even if you only use cruelly-produced products, Naomi will still greet you with a kiss. Thats just how animals are.

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Ghost in This House

I have been working more on videos. Here is a quickie I shot today. Would love to know what you all think about it. Basically, I was practicing using opacity and layers. Plus I love this song, and have felt this way many times.

** Note. If you have looked at this, look again. I tweaked it.

Ghost
Uploaded by dmeredith2

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Fear Called Living

Living in New York City, you are almost constantly bombarded by independent musicians just trying to get a break. You see them everywhere. On the street, in the subway, in the parks. Most of the bands are good. Many are very good, yet their sound really is not that much different than what is out there now. It's those rare artists who break away from the mainstream who are able to break out of obscurity. "Fear Called Living" just may be one of those bands.

Fear Called Living (formerly called Arcadia) is a trip hop group formed in the Bronx. (Who ever said nothing good comes out of the Bronx?) Their music is a mix of electronica and hip-hop with a cool, melodic vocal track. The sound is quite indescribable. You must hear it to believe it. The best way to imagine the sound of this band is to imagine Evanescence with a much more cool and hip background.As of now, the band is currently unsigned. The website Unsigned.com has a place for them there.

Unsigned.com bills itself as, "the new voice for independent Artists looking for the chance to be discovered". They boast that over 2000 independent Artists have already signed on. The website is unique in that it allows listeners to interact directly with the artists, thereby building a "grass roots" listenership.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a hip-hop fan. Do not let the use of that term to describe this music steer you away. This entire genre of music is out there, and is not being played outside of big cities. All you have to do is ask. If you like a band that is getting no radio play, call the station and ask for it. Keep calling. Get everyone you know to call. That's what happened to John Mayer.

In the meantime, check out Fear Called Living and the entire trip hop genre at unsigned.com. While you are there, you can look around at some of their other genres...but trip hop is definitely something you may have never heard before. And I guarantee you will like it.

View the page here: Trip-Hop Bands

This post sponsored by UnSigned.

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Burger King starts the trend

If you know me, you know that I am a compassionate meat eater. I was at one point a vegan, but very unhealthy. I have always stood firm on animal rights, and it is a passion of mine to speak out for those who have no voice to speak for themselves. That being said, it is with great pleasure that I point out:

Burger King set to make "historic advance" in animal welfare: "...the world's second-largest hamburger chain, said Tuesday that it would begin buying eggs and pork from suppliers that did not confine their animals in cages and crates. The company said that it would also favor suppliers of chickens that use gas, or "controlled-atmospheric stunning," rather than electric shocks, to knock birds unconscious before slaughter. It is considered a more humane method, though only a few slaughterhouses use it."

For more information, please visit PETA at: http://www.goveg.com/corp_murderk-victory.asp

And please, go out and have some BK fries or something.

The image posted above shows how mass-market chickens are treated in captivity. They have their beaks chopped off to prevent them from killing each other after being confined to crates makes them insane. Eat free-range, or don't eat it at all.

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This Weekend

Spring has sprung here in NYC. As of the end of last week, you couldn't really tell. The ground was covered in snow and we were still all wearing our puffy coats. Alas, the equinox has noxed, and we are now beginning the "light" half of the year.

Speaking of the light half of the year, Daylight Savings Time really kicked my ass this year. I don't really know why. All of a sudden, the clocks sprang forward, and left me behind in the dust. I have slowly recouperated in the recent weeks, but it. was. a. bitch.


My friend from my previous life, Ashley, came in to town this weekend. He was here for a blogging convention. He is working in Marketing at PayPerPost, and was here for a BlogHer convention. Ashley and I were friends through a girl that I dated over 10 years ago. We eventually became roommates and had some great times. He has lived in Orlando for a while. Due to just plain life, distance, and my phone anxiety, we have been spotty about keeping in touch. This weekend was the first time that I had seen him in about 7 years.

Anyways, Friday night we decided to go out and get drunk. We started our night at VYNL, which is one of my favorite places in Hell's Kitchen. After eating a little dinner there and of course having a couple of their amazing martinis, we decided to start our night. That's me standing outside VYNL.

When we were leaving VYNL, we ran into Kacy, mine and Justen's roommate, and his friend Brad. We decided to all meet up at Phoenix in Alphabet City. (Justen was on the way). The Phoenix is a really cool place to start your night. It has the feeling of a pub and is quite laid back. The music is not loud. It's very much a hang-out place. There is a pool table there. The movie that I was just in, Skull and Bones used it as a location. We took a seat in the side room (which looks like a dungeon) and waited for Justen. We drank a couple of more beers while there, and Justen came and joined us. Every time I go to Phoenix, I see a celebrity. Well, I use the term celebrity loosely. I see someone who is on TV. Last time I was there I saw the guy who plays the forensic investigator on Law and Order SVU, and this time, we saw Jay McCarroll, who was the winner of Season 1 of Project Runway. He has finally released his ready-to-wear collection and was there at Phoenix with a small entourage. He was wasted. When we were outside about to leave, he came barrelling out the door slurring his words. Either that or he may have been completely sober and speaking in tongues. I'm just sayin'.

We left the Phoenix and decided to cab across town to Mr. Black. This hipster haunt on Friday nights sports waiters wearing only aprons. The cover charge was $10, but we thought it may be fun. On the way there, we saw Kacy stumbling down the roadside, so we did what any friend would do. We rolled down the cab window and heckled him. Priceless.

The line at Mr. Black was around the block, and we didn't feel like waiting, so we walked into the West Village to Pieces, which is a little dive bar. Its right there across from the gay pride statues. We stayed there about 1 beer's length and were deciding to call it a night.

As we were walking down the street to get to the train, I saw Marie's Crisis, and knew we had to stop in. Marie's Crisis is a little bar in a basement that is a piano bar. You can go there and get a drink from the bartender and sit at the piano and sing along with god only knows who. Last time I was there, Dawn Weiner from Welcome to the Dollhouse was there. She was apparently having a sapphic convention there, and was getting a lot of attention. We arrived late, and there were no notables there. We all decided to do a Lemon Drop shot. I did mine, but Justen and Ashley didnt like theirs, so I did theirs too. That was my mistake. I was fine until I drank 3 shots of cheap vodka.

We got in a cab headed back to Astoria. We took the Williamsburg Bridge, which was bumper to bumper at 4am, then came here and crashed. I managed to get the airbed blown up for Ash, allthough I don't remember.

The next morning I awoke at 3pm in a black haze.

Justen went to dance class. God. 31 sucks.

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wii

Ok, I did it. Since last year, I have been secretly lusting after the Nintendo wii. (which is still, btw, impossible to buy in stores). Yesterday, afterreceiving birthday money from my parents, I went and stood on line outside the Nintendo world store in midtown from 6:45am until opening--i was first in line--and got the Nintendo wii.

Why may you ask? Well as a young man, I used to stay up nights with friends playing my first-generation Nintendo trying to beat the games. Many of you have been there with me--Super Mario Brothers, Duck Hunt, and most importantly THE LEGEND OF ZELDA.


When Legend of Zelda came out on the NES, I played it and played it. My nights were filled with the quest to rescue this princess. Later versions of Zelda also transfixed me. I was particularly into The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. This was for the Nintendo 64.

After seeing the advertisements for the wii, i thought that this would be the game system for me. I owned a PlayStation 2 for many years, and eventually sold it because I never played it. I had beaten "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds" and lost interest in the system completely. The games for the PS2 were just not for me. Most were war simulations and battle type games and frankly I never liked them. I started seeing the "trailers" for the new Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and my interest was picqued again. I researched the wii to determine if it would be a one-hit-wonder with me. I don't think so. Here are the reasons:

• Nintendo releases many games that are not just bloody war type simulations. They even have a game tie in to the movie Happy Feet.
• With the wii, you can buy all of the old games that you love so much. For 5 bucks, I was up playing Super Mario Brothers last night just like I did a decade ago. (okay, over two decades ago--the original came out in 1985) It is interesting to note that playing Super Mario Bros. is like riding a bicycle. You seem to go on auto-pilot as soon as the music starts.
• With the wii I can send emails and messages to friends all over the world...which brings me to my question:

DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ONE OF THESE THINGS? IF YOU HAVE A wii, my number is: 6047 9712 3060 1158

Happy Day to everyone.

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King of the World

What is it about birthdays? I have recently celebrated my 31st one. Justen and I went out to eat then saw COMPANY on Broadway. I don't really recommend it. Wait till it comes on video. Its just not that good. If I feel compelled later on, I will write about why I did not like it. Anyways, back to the lecture at hand....
I would like to start this off by saying that I am so excited to be in my thirties. If your twenties are representative for the quest to find yourself, then the thirties are definitely a time to chill inside said self. All of the pressure that I used to feel to "assimilate" or "be" or "do" is no longer there. I am just as happy on the sofa watching TV as I am at the movies. It's just that chill. Go out to eat, order takeout, cook...these are the questions that plague me daily...now I just go with the flow. If I want pizza, I eat pizza. If I want to fry chicken, I fry chicken. If I want to make brownies, I make brownies. And don't care.
The feeling of "laissez le bon temps rouler" or "laissez-faire" has spilled over into my professional life. Thats not such a good thing. If I go to an audition, I go. If I don't, I don't. I no longer have that little cheerleader Daniel in the back of my head saying "DO IT" "GO THERE", etc. And honestly, I don't miss that twit at all.
That being said, I realize that at some point, I do have to "shit or get off the pot" so to speak. But now I don't feel terribly motivated. And that's okay. I feel like as an actor I am in a weird transitional period between playing the roles that I have played thus far and the roles that I am yet to play. I think I am just gonna coast for a while. And pay my student loans.
So as I wake up today, closer to 40 then I am to 20, I wonder what will this decade hold. I am only one year into it, and I love it. So far. The past few years of my life have been the best ever:

• meeting Justen
• getting Naomi
• backpacking across Europe
• Moving to New York
• working as an actor

Time will tell what is to come, but right now I am the "King of the World". Or at least the unemployment line.

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Its been a while, but here goes

Golly, it has been a little while since I last blogged. So much has happened...lets see where to start...

First, the audition I went on was for Periwinkle National Theatre's tour of HALFWAY THERE.

That being said, getting that job has opened a door for me. Actually it kicked me in the ass a little. So, I quit my PR job. I think that I need to focus hard-core on working in the business here, and with my cushy job, I cant do that. I am only going on safe auditions, and I need to get out there more. And make money. So thats that.

Tim and Derek came over President's day weekend, and I made some good 'ole gumbo for everyone. Beau (their puppy) stayed with us while they went to the theatre, and Naomi had a field day. I haven't seen her play like that in years. It was so refreshing. Beau is welcome in our house ANY day.

Later that night, Justen, Tim, Derek and I went to a local bar called Albatross. I have nothing else to say about this bar. Its there. 'nuff said.

LOST is actually getting better. Thank God. Maybe it wont get canceled now. We will see.

Are Jim and Pam ever gonna get together on the Office? I wonder. Cause probably if they did, there wouldnt be any reason to watch. Except that I love that show. I love it bad.

We saw Pan's Labyrinth recently. I will write a separate review of it at some point, but the gist is, go see it. Its beautiful. Its also a bit bloody, but it is good. If you are expecting Narnia, its not like that at all. More like Titus. or if Titus and Narnia had a child, it would be Pan's Labyrinth. Oh, and the child would have to be Spanish.

I have been working hard on my ancestry. Nothing crazy new to report except that Gore Vidal is actually a very close relative to me. 3rd or 4th cousin. Kinda cool, since I like him.

OK. time to go back to work.

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Mimin' Hurts, 'yall

So on Saturday, which was also the day of Jen Nelson Lane's big blowout birthday party, I went to an audition for a character in a TYA show. The character is basically the personification of bad. He tempts the characters back into a life of drugs, booze, or whatever. ANYWAYS, the part is masked, and a mime.

Ok, so it has been a while since I have mimed. Maybe since my last mime at grad school (i remember all of us doing a scene where we were all in a gym. Then another scene where we were attacked by our bathroom necessities---mine was shaving cream.) where was I...OH yeah. pain.

I did a little of the choreography from the show as well as some leans and other basic mime stuff on Saturday. No problem. I was actually quite good. Problem is...it is monday now, and I still cant walk right. I used muscles that havent been used in years. There are parts of my quad which are used in mimin' that arent used in anything I have done since 2003.

I put a heat patch on today, and had to take it off cause I was sweating my ass off. And it felt like the skin on my thigh was gone. all of it.

Anyways, I have a callback for this part on Wednesday. Please pray for my little used muscles.
and my burned up thigh.

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Spring Awakening

Last night, Justen and I went to see Spring Awakening with Brent (who was in town for the week). It has been a while since we had seen a show for several reasons--nothing really piqued our interest, and we just never went to get tickets. I am so glad that we decided to go see this show. Duncan Sheik (of the 90's Barely Breathing) and others have adapted Frank Wedekind's 1891 play "Spring Awakening" to this year's Broadway smash. The play centers around a group of teens who are dealing with their burgeoning sexuality juxtaposed with the adult world which is withholding information from them in the name of protecting their innocence.

The cast is an ensemble of fresh-faced young actors (average age here is probably 19) who take on this material with voracity. What RENT was to me years ago is what I feel this will be to young people seeing this today. The music is angst ridden: at times melodic, at times raucous. The stand-out of the cast is definitely John Gallagher, Jr. in his role as Moritz. From the moment he takes the stage in the first number, you can see he has a fully developed character that only comes more to life throughout his subsequent scenes. Also noteworthy is Lea Michelle, playing the female lead role Wendla. Her angelic voice echoes throughout the theatre as pure as a ringing bell from her first scene to the last. Jonathan Groff, who plays the male lead Melchior, comes off a little flat against the colorful supporting characters.

The choreography, done by Bill T. Jones, is at times beautiful and at other times odd. I found the phrase of movement repeated throughout the show to be quite interesting, yet I could decipher no real reason or meaning for it. There were points in the show when I felt that the movement expressed the pent up sexuality of the characters, and other times when it seemed that the characters were simply playing with themselves. or mentally challenged.

The set design and lighting design were brilliantly executed. It is obvious that these two designers worked very closely together to achieve a certain aesthetic. The show is played on a simple acting space with audience on three sides and the band behind. The characters intermingle with the audience, some vocalists are seated as members of the audience the entire time. This Brechtian presentation forces actors to become observers thereby almost making the "audience" another character in the play. I would even go so far as to say that at times, the set and lighting were just as interesting as the characters on stage.

New York Times, New York Post, and USA Today have all called this the best musical of the year. I would have to agree. (But I have not seen any of the others). The raw energy of this show leaps from the stage early in the show (BITCH OF LIVING) and stays strong. Due to plot points being resolved in the second act, the mood is much softer and the energy is a little low. I'd love another big number early in ACT 2, but honestly couldn't imagine where it would go.

Overall, I think that Spring Awakening is the show to beat at this year's Tony's. I hope that this show stays around for a while. It is so refreshing to see something on Broadway that is truly original. Like it or lump it, Spring Awakening is a force to be reckoned with.

Enjoy the clips:

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Anna Nicole Smith

I have learned that Anna Nicole has passed away. Get ready for the media maelstrom to commence. Its so strange that this one event can trump all of our PR efforts.
uggh.

OK, now that the news has broken....
I can not believe that I knew about it moments after it happened. MOMENTS. Calls poured in from all over bumping our client.

Now we just have to take this and use it to our client's advantage.

Anna Nicole Smith was just slapped with a class action lawsuit yesterday due to her TrimSpa campaign. It's a shame when someone's celebrity is related to their drug use, family trauma, and string of lawsuits. This was inevitable.

Now, the question I ask you....how come i know within minutes of Anna Nicole's death? Wonder how much better this world would be if every soldier that died in Iraq got the same media attention---we knew all about their life, their children, their families.
When we were at the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, I noticed the following quote:

"One single Anne Frank moves us more than the countless others who suffered just as she did, but whose faces have remained in the shadows. Perhaps it is better that way: if we were capable of taking in all the suffering of all those people, we would not be able to live." Primo Levi

Wonder how different we would be if we DID know?
ADDENDUM:
This is from THINKPROGRESS. I have to admit that I am quite embarrassed.

References to Anna Nicole and Iraq on Cable Networks After 3PM ET:

NETWORK	ANNA NICOLE	IRAQ
CNN	141	27
FOX NEWS	112	33
MSNBC	170	24

Time Of Segments Devoted to Anna Nicole and Iraq on Broadcast Networks:

NETWORK	ANNA NICOLE	IRAQ
NBC	3:13	0:14
CBS	2:00	2:17
ABC	2:21	2:58

Transcript:

LARRY KING: The death of Anna Nicole Smith — it’s the number one story around the world tonight.

BILL O’REILLY: Hi, I’m Bill O’Reilly. Thank you for watching us tonight. The talking points memo will be in our second segment this evening. It concerns how the left sees Americans killed in Iraq. But first, 39-year old Anna Nicole Smith dead in Florida.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: For better or for worse, would you call Anna Nicole Smith an American icon of the early 21st Century?

ANDERSON COOPER: Jennifer, you met Anna Nicole back in the early-90s through Playboy. You saw her at the Playboy mansion. What was she like back then?

GUEST: Back then…I remember coming home from college and everyone was talking about this really hot woman and um…

RITA COSBY: Although it’s interesting — we talked to a friend earlier today and he was saying she was dumb like a fox.

GUEST: Exactly.

ANDERSON COOPER: ‘Cause a lot of women become Playboy Playmates, but they don’t end up with long careers — certainly not in the spotlight.

MSNBC GUEST: But you know everytime we saw Anna Nicole, the reason people are watching is to see what she said or what she was trying to say through some of her slurred words.

GRETA VAN SUSTERN: Anna Nicole did not live anonymously in the Bahamas. People there knew she was living there.

RITA COSBY: So what was the charismatic blonde like behind the lens, and why was she so intriguing to so many people?

LARRY KING: Larry, this story will have a lot of legs, won’t it?

GUEST: Oh absolutely.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: David, why the obsession with Anna Nicole Smith? Why have the cable shows and even the broadcast news shows — and certainly the morning shows tomorrow — why have they all focused in on this story? And why are they going to be providing a lot more time to Anna Nicole Smith than the war in Iraq and the possible coming war with Iran?

GUEST: Well, you know, America has fallen in love with Anna Nicole Smith.

JACK CAFFERTY: Is Anna Nicole Smith still dead, Wolf?

WOLF BLITZER: Yes, We’re going to be updating our viewers shortly on –

CAFFERTY: Can’t wait for that.

BLITZER: — the mysterious circumstance surrounding that. Jack, thank you.

(SOURCE)

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Couch to 5k Week 1 Run 2

Well, here is my second run of the "training" program. There was a lot of rain, and I was dodging puddles the whole time (while getting wet). But, I still feel like I did a great job. If the image does not load, I did a total of 2.59 miles in 32 min and 13 seconds. (this is still the same 5 min warm up, 60 sec. run, 90 sec walk (repeat 6 times) then cool down for 5 minutes) I will be doing this again tomorrow, then next week moving on to Week 2 of the challenge.

I have also challenged my self to log 28 miles this month. Should be easy, if each of these is 2.5 miles. (They will be longer next week because there is more runnin')

Hope that everyone out there in Cyberbia has a great weekend. I know I sure am gonna try.

Speaking of trying, I think that Justen and I are going to take this new bottle of $20 wine we bought and go to the cafe on the corner. Gotta love New York--where you can bring your own bottle. everywhere.

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Overheard in Forest Hills

Overheard today in Forest Hills, NY
Group of 3 13 year-olds:

Girl: Did you know that Zeus had sex with three girls?
Boy 1: Really?
Boy 2: What's his last name?
Boy 1: Who's class is he in?
Girl: We don't know him. He's a God.
Boy 1: A God?
Girl: Yeah, a Greek God.
Boy 2: Oh.

I thought I was going to choke on my Cherry Coke.

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Children of Men

Last night, Justen and I decided on a whim to go out for "date night" (since we had tried this weekend, but didnt make the movie). We are trying to make our rounds to see all of the Oscar movies (that we are interested in) before the big night. Last night we decided on dinner at Locale in Astoria, and then seeing CHILDREN OF MEN.

I will talk more about Locale later, as it is one of our frequents, but for now I will talk about CHILDREN OF MEN.

As anyone who knows me can attest, I am not the biggest Sci-Fi fan in the world. Justen has gotten hooked on Battlestar Gallactica, and allthough I think that the show is beautiful, I seem to lose interest. Generally with Sci-Fi, there is so much back-story that I don't know that I don't really buy into the whole thing, and mostly feel kinda dumb when I watch it.

Anyways, CHILDREN OF MEN basically takes place in the year 2023, when the world is infertile and basically collapsing on itself. The major powers of the world have crumbled, and the UK exists as a police state. There are severe treatments of immigrants (very Guantanamo Bay) and sweeping views of rampant warfare (very USA in Iraq) and even a few throwbacks to the Holocaust. And this is just to the casual viewer.

Much of the movie is filmed hand-held with long sweeping shots (which I love). There is even a moment when the lens gets splattered with blood, and you can see how long the shot is because the blood (obviously) stays there.

The film stars Clive Owen and Julianne Moore (and I am a fan of both) and as a wonderful supporting character, Michael Caine. The problem with this film is that I went in expecting one thing, and definitely got another. I went in expecting something very heady, very thick, very suspenseful. Thats not quite what this is. It is very Bourne Identity in the way that it is just an action movie with a very simple plot, yet the former definitely introduces many interesting plot twists that this film does not.

The main twist in this film occurs when you discover that the "rescuers" may or may not have been responsible for a major death in the film. This twist is not quite unexpected, and our protagonists drive on towards their goal.

There is a beautiful scene in the film when the baby is brought through a war zone, and as the baby cries, everyone stops and stares. (There has not been a baby born for almost 19 years). The fighting quickly resumes as our clever Clive Owen manages to dodge bullets that are flying every which-a-way. After all that gun-fire, it seems odd that he is only hit once in the whole film.

The vision of "the future" is not far off from where we are now (which I am sure is intentional) the environment is a wasteland, government is corrupt, and people destitute. You would think that the movie would be more interesting than it is.

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My First Couch to 5K training session

Well, I promised that I would update you on the state of my new "Couch Potato to 5k" training.
I ran/walked the first training run of this week. It was actually VERY easy. I barely broke a sweat (well, it is very cold) and I barely lost my breath.
Here is the status of my run:
Basically, I ran for 29:02. There was 5 minutes of warm-up and 5 minutes of cool-down. The graph you see is imported from my Nike+ website, and shows my "pace" throughout the run. Actually, I didn't do too shabby. I bet there are a lot of other beginners out there who don't cover almost 2.5 miles in the training. (Remember you are only running for 60 seconds at a time--then walking for 90 seconds.)

I will keep you posted. Tomorrow, I will do the 8-minute mile again, and go back to the long run on Wednesday.

Hope all is well out in Cyber-bia. (Did I just make that up? If I did, it's mine, if not--oops)

OH- I almost forgot...after my "workout" Lance Armstrong came onto my Ipod, introduced himself, and said "Congratulations, that was your longest workout yet!"
How cool am I?

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Please Help Me----

I would like to ask your help. New York State Senate is about to vote on a bill that would increase the punishment for people who run puppy mills, fight animals, etc. Basically, this law would increase the crime to a felony for people who torture, beat, injure or kill, or deprive food or drink to 10 or more animals at a time.


Please politely urge your senator to support S913.

Then sleep a little better tonight knowing that you have given innocent animals a chance to live.

If you do not know what to write, here is a copy of what I wrote to my Senator:

Dear Senator Onorato:
I would like to take a second of your time and urge you to support Senate Bill 913. If it becomes law, S913 will make it a felony to torture, cruelly beat, unjustifiably injure or kill, or deprive of adequate food or drink to 10 or more animals at a time.
As you may know, animal abusers who wrong large numbers of animals—including animal hoarders, puppy-mill operators, and those who fight dogs and birds—are notoriously unlikely to end their cruel ways, especially when they only face misdemeanor charges. This piece of legislation would ensure that such criminals are appropriately charged for their cruel acts.
Thank you so much for taking a stance on this important issue. It is important that we New Yorkers speak up for those who have no voice to speak for themselves.
Best Wishes,Daniel Meredith

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Interesting stuff.

What else will they think of.

Should Naomi join?

Dogster: the dog lovers community to share pictures, stories, and information.

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Everywhere I went, I was RUNNING

Yesterday, I noticed that I needed new sneakers, so I went to Macy's to take a look. I had a $25 off coupon, and while I was there, I became interested in the new NIKE+ shoe and program. Basically, there is this egg shaped piece of thing that sits in your left shoe, and talks to your ipod while you are running. It keeps up with your distance, speed, pace, etc. and loads it onto the internet.

This inspired me. I had heard about the "Couch to 5K" program before. Basically, it is a training program that gets you from couch potato to 5k runner in 9 weeks. I have decided to give it a shot. I will keep you posted. This is week one, and I have run a mile each day yesterday and today, but tomorrow, I start my "training" which are 20-minute intervals. I will do these intervals 3 days a week. On the days in between, I plan to do the quick little 8 minute mile that I already have started for myself.

Here is a description of what I will be doing this week:
"Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes."

I will let you know how I do. I have also given myself a goal of running four 8 minute miles this month. (These will be separate of the other training. Which is why I have challenged myself to only 4)

Keep your fingers crossed!

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SO, Whats in a Name anways?

As of late, I have been researching my ancestry. I think that we all reach a point in out lives where we wonder "Where Did I Come From?" (and not in the birds-and-bees sort of way). This question has plagued me for years. Different members of my family have said different things about "what we are" and I decided to find out for myself. My journey started a couple of years ago with a visit to the genealogy room at the Henderson County Public Library in Hendersonville, NC. (or as I say, "When I lived in the mountains") They have a room specially designed for library users to sit and spend hours tracing their roots. Thats where I began. Well, actually, thats where the thought began. Records of living people are kept confidential in most cases, so the best start for me was to speak with my family. I knew the names of all of my grandparents, and I knew a couple of my great-grandparents, but that was about it. After about a week, it slipped my mind... Until late this fall. I started wondering again--and started searching again. I joined ancestry.com (they had a special) and began my search. After a week or so, not only had I gained a lot of information (both records on ancestry.com and then webpages of people who have gone before and done research) but I had met several cousins in the process! What a small world it is. Bob, a cousin who lives in North Georgia (and who I was strangers with until this research) is a couple of generations older than me and has been researching our family for a while. He had in his records a letter written by my great-great grandfather that explained "Where we came from". In my own words, Here is what I learned....(oh ps, this is about the MEREDITH part of my family) Sometime in the 1760's three brothers left Wales for the United States. Their names were John, Charles, & William Meredith. (the Welsh spelling of my name is Maredudd or Meredydd--and the correct pronunciation is mu RAY duth) The naming system was patronymic, which means that all Meredith's are not related. Patronymic naming systems basically make the son's last name his father's first name. It's really complicated and interesting, and I don't want to go into it. Google it if u care.

John Meredith settled in Virginia and started a family there. His ancestors, according to my great great grandfather Virgil, were the "brained ones int he family". One of his children was Judge Meredith, who "filled Talmage's pulpit while he was touring Europe". Talmadge was a famous Presbyterian minister.

Charles Meredith settled in North Carolina, and most of his offspring began working in the rail road.

William Meredith (my ancestor) settled into South Carolina and lived there until after the Revolutionary War. He served in that war with distinction (as an officer). After the war he married and settled into Franklin County. One of his children, John (my ancestor) along with three of his brothers moved into Wilkinson County, Georgia in the spring of 1802 and settled on the Oconee River at Toomsboro. They were one of the few original settlers of the county. My family stayed there and eventually, my great grandfather (who worked on the rail road) moved to Montgomery, AL and became a foreman for the ACL, or the Atlantic Coast Line rail road.

That story is much abbreviated, but you get the idea.

Since I found out that I am of Welsh heritage, I have looked into Welsh society. My family (which is descended from Lord William Meredith) settles in central and southern Wales. The family had a tartan, but in Welsh society, tartans and kilts were not quite as important as they are to the Scots--all though they were quite important.

The Welsh spelled kilt "cilt" and many Welsh still honor tradition and wear their cilts today--especially in formal occasions. This is a photo of both our "Meredith" tartan and what a welsh cilt looks like. (The blue tartan to the left is the example of a cilt, the yellow and navy tartan to the right is the Meredith tartan. The very green one below is a more "modern" Meredith tartan. I like the classic one better.)

Why blog about all of this, i dunno. Hope you aren't bored.

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I thought I wouldnt talk about this....but

My mind has been reeling lately about Isaiah Washington and his use of the word "faggot" on the set of Grey's Anatomy, then his denial, then his joke, then his "meeting" with GLSEN.

First I thought that it was well-placed publicity for ABC, which given their ratings of late, needs absolutely no help. Then my mind started to bend some more. The New York Times recently made the editorial decision NOT to print the word "faggot". CNN has made the editorial decision to allow the use of the word. In a conversation with Glen Beck, talk show host Dave Glover and he had the following exchange: full transcript available here

BECK: Dave, what is the -- what is the controversy? One of the guys called another guy a naughty name.

GLOVER: Yes. Basically you have Isaiah Washington, who's one of the stars of the show, who referred to one of his co-stars during a heated argument as a derogatory term for a gay man that starts with "F", rhymes with maggot. Did it a couple more times after that. And do you like how I did that?

BECK: Yes.

GLOVER: And...

BECK: Do you know that The New York Times wouldn't even print -- I mean, we can say the word. We`re having an adult conversation here. Wouldn't even print the word "fagot [sic]."

GLOVER: Right.

BECK: Wouldn't print it. I find that amazing.

Now I feel like it is my turn to have "an adult conversation" here. I feel, and think that people would agree with me, that the word "faggot" is indeed culturally accepted as defamatory. I also think that people will agree that the rights of homosexuals (since homos are indeed human) is a civil rights issue. I will further purport that people will be able to call to mind (without me listing them all here) many other defamatory words that people use. It is unfortunate that there seems to be a hierarchy of defamation. People today feel less guilty using the word "faggot" and other defamatory homosexual slurs than they do, for instance, making remarks against Jews, African Americans, or Hispanics--among others. This has got to stop.

Andy Towle at towleroad has said, "It is now ABC's turn to step up to the plate and demonstrate that they have zero tolerance for anti-gay bigotry by firing Washington." (source)
And I have to agree with him. Grey's Anatomy is one of the largest shows on television now. We, as caring human beings, need to continue to speak out against this indecency until our voices are heard. It has been reported that Mr. Washington has indeed had a meeting with GLSEN to understand what steps he needs to take to "heal" this wrongdoing. (Mama said always start with an apology--and not to me....to Mr. T.R. Knight). Will this happen? As a publicist, I know that Mr. Washington's publicist will indeed issue all kinds of "statements" that he/she has written for him where Mr. Washington appears to grovel. It is quite possible that Isaiah never wrote, much less read these "statements". Given Mr. Washington's behavior when flippantly making jokes about the remarks he made, I find it hard to believe that he is not a homophobe. What Mr. Washington needs is to be fired.

It has been said that the American people shine lights too brightly onto our celebrities, and whereas I believe that is true, I do know that in order to become a celebrity, you have to make a choice to make it happen, and hire many people to insure that it happens. Celebrities are celebrities because they want to be. It is their responsibility to live a life under a microscope. It is our responsibility to end the attention when we choose fit. How? By merely allowing the person to fall back in to obscurity. From this moment forward, I pledge to do so towards Mr. Isaiah Washington. I intend to never speak or write his name from this moment forward. I will abstain from watching Grey's Anatomy until he is no longer featured. (i'm not a huge fan anyways. I have seen the show twice) I will also use my database to send these sentiments to the producers and executives of the show.

I urge you to do the same thing. Condemn the behavior. Demand catharsis. Remember, ABC is the top network now because we watch it. Never forget that you have the power to change that. Thursdays at 9/8 central.

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Courtesy of Andy Towle at TOWLEROAD:

Yesterday, George W. Bush issued a White House proclamation that Sunday was National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2007:

"America was founded on the principle that we are all endowed by our Creator with the right to life and that every individual has dignity and worth. National Sanctity of Human Life Day helps foster a culture of life and reinforces our commitment to building a compassionate society that respects the value of every human being."

Meanwhile, 12 U.S. soldiers died in a helicopter crash on Saturday, bringing the total number of American troops killed in Iraq to 3,054. Let's not forget the other coalition forces and the thousands of Iraqi civilians. The rest of the grim figures are here.

And Story Landis, the National Institutes of Health official overseeing the implementation of President Bush's embryonic stem cell policy, which is filled with restrictions, made what the Washington Post called "an unusually blunt statement" that the program is "delaying cures".

Yet Bush says he plans to veto a bill passed by the House this month that would lift restrictions.

Bush says he values the sanctity of human life yet pushes policies that say just the opposite. As AmericaBlog notes, a "mind-numbing hypocrisy".

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