When I think Caribbean, I think Preston, England, don't you? Here are pics from my balcony of the annual (yes, annual!) Preston Caribbean Carnival.
What every Caribbean Parade needs... a Gay pirate!!!
26 May 2008
23 May 2008
Latest attempt to define identity
So I am an American-born American and Irish Citizen who just got a bunch of Euros for reimbursement of expenses that were originally paid for in Pounds Sterling as well as Hungarian Forints for travel to interpret in American Sign Language for an Italian. Oh yeah, and last night I watched the Eurovision song contest semi-finals dubbed into Hungarian with people from Latvia, Moldova, Montenegro, Azerbaijan and Finland among others.
My brain hurts, but I have nice new glasses!!
My brain hurts, but I have nice new glasses!!
15 May 2008
Holy Matrimony, Batman!!!
Wow, the mostly Republican appointed California Supreme Court has paved the way for same-sex marriage in California. (See here.) The Governator will not fight it, although the dissenting opinion thinks that, "...the issue should be left to the voters." (I think we have seen that putting rights to a popular vote is not a way to redress injustice, but hell, I am only using the 20/20 hindsight of history.)
Perhaps there is hope for the USA.
14 May 2008
And we are back...
Sorry I have been out of (electronic) touch, I have been quite busy.
Last weekend I taught in our Postgraduate programme. It is the programme that I will be taking over the helm of come the autumn. It is a really great group (2 groups actually, first and second years). It’s a nice combination of lecture as well as practical interpreting activities. It does however, leave one knackered, to use a local term. Working all week, then teaching at the weekend then a following week is tough. We can take days off in lieu of the time worked, but this time around I had stuff to do on both sides so I’ll be taking it off next week (more on that later).
As a reward for my hard work, I went to Blackpool which is well-known as the ‘Gay Capitol of the North' . It is quite a gritty little seaside resort. While the Manchester Gay scene is more middle of the road in many ways, Blackpool is...not so much. A bit miore down and dirty. We didn’t go out to the clubs, but we did have a nice dinner and then went to see a fab drag cabaret show called Funny Girls. It was really a hoot. The show lasts from 8:30-11:30 PM; interspersing music by a drag DJ with some pretty amazing performances. The lead performer ‘Betty Legs Diamond’ is a riot (read all about ’her’ here). While it is primarily a mixed venue (it is a popular place for 'hen nights' - the female equivalent of a stag or bachelor party - although that term seemingly can refer to any outing of a group of women drinking!), Sunday nights tend to draw a slightly gayer audience, with Betty Legs ad libbing a lot more to the crowd. They did numbers from ‘The King and I’, ‘Cabaret’ and a huge finale from ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’. They also did a hysterical take-off on the movie ‘Happy Feet’ in penguin costumes. All in all the costumes and dancing were tops. I was tired but in the end, but it was a great way to top off a long working weekend.
I am taking my time off next week because I’ll be going to interpret a conference for two days in Budapest. I have never been before and probably won’t get to see much of the city as I fly in late Wednesday and leave Friday evening. Anyway, it should be an adventure. If I were staying longer, I’d get out my Zsa Zsa Gabor outfit!
It has been sunny for a few days here....WOO HOO!
Last weekend I taught in our Postgraduate programme. It is the programme that I will be taking over the helm of come the autumn. It is a really great group (2 groups actually, first and second years). It’s a nice combination of lecture as well as practical interpreting activities. It does however, leave one knackered, to use a local term. Working all week, then teaching at the weekend then a following week is tough. We can take days off in lieu of the time worked, but this time around I had stuff to do on both sides so I’ll be taking it off next week (more on that later).
As a reward for my hard work, I went to Blackpool which is well-known as the ‘Gay Capitol of the North' . It is quite a gritty little seaside resort. While the Manchester Gay scene is more middle of the road in many ways, Blackpool is...not so much. A bit miore down and dirty. We didn’t go out to the clubs, but we did have a nice dinner and then went to see a fab drag cabaret show called Funny Girls. It was really a hoot. The show lasts from 8:30-11:30 PM; interspersing music by a drag DJ with some pretty amazing performances. The lead performer ‘Betty Legs Diamond’ is a riot (read all about ’her’ here). While it is primarily a mixed venue (it is a popular place for 'hen nights' - the female equivalent of a stag or bachelor party - although that term seemingly can refer to any outing of a group of women drinking!), Sunday nights tend to draw a slightly gayer audience, with Betty Legs ad libbing a lot more to the crowd. They did numbers from ‘The King and I’, ‘Cabaret’ and a huge finale from ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’. They also did a hysterical take-off on the movie ‘Happy Feet’ in penguin costumes. All in all the costumes and dancing were tops. I was tired but in the end, but it was a great way to top off a long working weekend.
I am taking my time off next week because I’ll be going to interpret a conference for two days in Budapest. I have never been before and probably won’t get to see much of the city as I fly in late Wednesday and leave Friday evening. Anyway, it should be an adventure. If I were staying longer, I’d get out my Zsa Zsa Gabor outfit!
It has been sunny for a few days here....WOO HOO!
05 May 2008
Manchester, England, England...
Had a great day in Manchester yesterday even though it was pretty rainy the whole day.
First, I went to Wagamama for lunch. I have loved this place for years and you lucky folks in Boston have two new locations (Faneuil Hall and Harvard Square). The one in Manchester is the closest to me here, so I had to go! I have introduced it to a bunch of friends in Boston. If you like Japanese-type food (soup with yummy noodles and veggies etc.) get yourself there! I highly recommend the grilled asparagus and the duck gyoza.
After that I went to a new museum in Manchester called Urbis. (Fortuitously located right across the street from Wagamama…yay!) Here is a description from their website (check it out for pictures; the building is very cool looking):
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After that, I went over to Canal Street (the main gay area in Manchester, where the original Queer as Folk was set) for a nice dinner and some wine while people watching.
All in all a lovely day.
First, I went to Wagamama for lunch. I have loved this place for years and you lucky folks in Boston have two new locations (Faneuil Hall and Harvard Square). The one in Manchester is the closest to me here, so I had to go! I have introduced it to a bunch of friends in Boston. If you like Japanese-type food (soup with yummy noodles and veggies etc.) get yourself there! I highly recommend the grilled asparagus and the duck gyoza.
After that I went to a new museum in Manchester called Urbis. (Fortuitously located right across the street from Wagamama…yay!) Here is a description from their website (check it out for pictures; the building is very cool looking):
Urbis is an exhibition centre about city life. On your visit you can explore exhibitions about contemporary art & design, urban gardening, the city environment and the people who make our cities what they are.The exhibit on manga was really interesting. While I have seen a bunch of it in a variety of forms, I did not know much of the history of it or how widespread it has become (according to one exhibit, it is the fastest growing segment in publishing.). They also neatly divided the exhibit by various genres (Adult, Action, Cute, etc.) as well has having manga Shakespeare and a manga version of the Bible!
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After that, I went over to Canal Street (the main gay area in Manchester, where the original Queer as Folk was set) for a nice dinner and some wine while people watching.
All in all a lovely day.
01 May 2008
Silver Anniversary May Day
Well it is 25 years to the day that I first came out to another human being (I told the family dog eariler, knowing that Bogie could keep a secret). At this point, I have been out for over half my life (58.1% for those of you scoring at home.)
Every year on this day I reflect upon the power of coming out. The fact that is both an intensely personal as well as very public experience, even if you are only 'out' to one person. I look back on these 25 years an think of the happy times (some of the wonderful times in intimate relationships) as well as the not so happy times (attempted bashings and the like).
I have been truly fortunate to come out not only when I did, but where, amongst wonderful and caring people who were sometimes taken aback, but always loving. I then think about the people, who for a myriad of reasons, can not come out, whether to themselves or to others. My heart breaks for them and I pray that they find comfort.
May there be a day when coming out is as natural and comforatble as getting older ;)
Every year on this day I reflect upon the power of coming out. The fact that is both an intensely personal as well as very public experience, even if you are only 'out' to one person. I look back on these 25 years an think of the happy times (some of the wonderful times in intimate relationships) as well as the not so happy times (attempted bashings and the like).
I have been truly fortunate to come out not only when I did, but where, amongst wonderful and caring people who were sometimes taken aback, but always loving. I then think about the people, who for a myriad of reasons, can not come out, whether to themselves or to others. My heart breaks for them and I pray that they find comfort.
If you are out, celebrate that fact with me.
If you are straight, think warm and happy thoughts about your out friends.
If you are not out, or know someone who isn't, send them warmth that they
may find peace.
May there be a day when coming out is as natural and comforatble as getting older ;)
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