an update from glinda

there, there my anxious readers.... the complete interview with dear, sweet sally secret is coming. please, don't loose hope...if i said i would, you know i will!

the u.k.'s terry jones

terry jones on george bus...

Those of us who support Armageddon have naturally been greatly cheered by way the US president has embraced our cause.

Those of us who have long been supporters of Armageddon have naturally been greatly cheered by way the president of the United States has been embracing our cause. Our desire to bring chaos, death and destruction to a greater swathe of humanity has, in the past, often been frustrated by peacemakers and do-gooders of all shades of the political spectrum.

For too long, our aspirations have been derided and criticised. In fact, to be blunt, for more than two millennia we have had to put up with opprobrium and vilification, but now all that will be a thing of the past, for in George Bush we have found an ally - indeed, we have found a leader. A man who is prepared to place himself at the head of the forces of destruction and misery, and who is unafraid of the opinion of the rest of the world.

George Bush has finally put Armageddon firmly on the political agenda, and it is likely to stay there for the foreseeable future.

This means that we Armageddonists need keep to the shadows no longer. Bush and his colleagues in the White House have given us credibility and respectability. They have made our goal their goal, and death, disease, war and famine are now the most likely fate for more people in the Middle East than we Armageddonists had ever dared to hope for.

What is also particularly gratifying - after this long wait - is that George could not have chosen a better spot on Earth for the "End of Things" to begin, nor a more appropriate agent than Israel to get the ball rolling.

After all "Armageddon" is a Hebrew word. It has come to signify "the end of times" or the arrival of catastrophic events, involving huge loss of life. In its origins, however, Har-Mageddon meant simply "the mountain of Megiddo" - Megiddo being a site in Israel close to the border with Lebanon.

It is certainly a place that has seen a lot of catastrophe in its time. Although there has not been a city at Megiddo for over 2,000 years, there are, nevertheless the remains of more than 20 different cities on the site, dating from 3,000 BC. That's an awful lot of human death and destruction.

So it's the perfect place for George to unleash the horsemen of the Apocalypse, and, as Armageddonists, we applaud him. The current assault on Lebanese civilians is sure to swell the ranks of would-be terrorists beyond even our wildest dreams, spreading the violence and mayhem not only throughout the Middle East but into the homelands of America and Britain.

As for the country of Lebanon itself, we Armageddonists predict that, like Iraq, it will sink into a morass of sectarian violence that will fill morgues of the future that have not yet been built. But more than that, we Armegeddonists confidently look forward to chaos and havoc quickly getting out of hand and beyond the control of those who started the conflict. It's all part of the fun.

So Armageddonists of the world! Let us unite in praise of George Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld. Let us thank these men for bringing our dreams of violence and disorder to fruition.

Let us hope that whatever half-baked notions fill what passes for their minds, they will continue on this irreversible path to perdition from which the whole world recoils, but seems powerless to stop.

music 08-22-06

At gun point, I would have to confess..."alfie" and "everything must change" are probably the two best written songs of all time. Through all my years of listening to music, these two songs to this day still get me every time I listen to them. Last year for shits and giggles I sought out as many tracks as I could find of artists who covered "alfie"; I think the final count was something like 19 different performers.

tonight, I also happened to stumble on a cover of "everything must change" recorded live by jazz great randy crawford. Not long after the first listen, I just sat here and played it over and over for some 40 minutes. Like Ella, Randy makes the song her own. Her rendition speaks for itself, experience it. Shazam, I hunting tracks from others as I write.... A few good mentions so far: oleta adams, james ingram).

on tonight's musical journey I also heard a new track from annie lennox "hush, hush, hush" who appears as a guest vocalist on a herbie hancock cd. Yes, another cover but as only she could craft. I'm still counting the nights without a new full length lennox project to drift away with...

till next time...

an "outside" view

one thing i have come to enjoy about "blogging" is the interaction and information we all get to share with one another. it's especially great, meeting new people and discovering their blog. the means and ways of "gay life" outside the United States is always something that has intrigued me; it gives me renewed hope and a different perspective on many levels. such is the case with Syzmon's blog from Poland. his blog is well rounded and full of interesting thoughts, idea's and photographs. many of the images are in-fact, photographed by Szymon himself! he is also, to his credit, one of the first openly gay residents of Poland! You can visit his blog here http://szymonniemiec.pl/blog/

The Dark Knight

Batman is heading into a sequel, titled "The Dark Knight," and he will face off against the Joker, this time played by Heath Ledger.

Snow Leopard is US-bound

The US State Department has announced the impending arrival of an unusual guest from Pakistan - an orphaned snow leopard cub.

Thirteen-month-old Leo is due in New York on Wednesday after surviving both the loss of his parents and the Pakistani earthquake.

He was found in the snow-hit north of the country last year by a shepherd who hand-fed him to keep him alive.

The snow leopard is one of the world's most endangered big cat species.

'Shepherd's compassion'

Leo - one of only a few thousand snow leopards left in the wild - was found by the shepherd in the mountains of north Pakistan in July 2005.

best in show, so far

after 50 some of hours of designing, fueled by a relentless need to create, i'm pleased to say that the largest feature presentation of designs thus far are complete. there are at least 40 new items which are now available for purchase via ebay. to purchase or view any of them, simply click on the ebay logo to the right.

The Witch's One on One With Sally Secret

Good evening everyone. I’m Sally Secret and have I got something to tell you! Welcome to our exclusive interview, one on one, with the wicked witch of the west. We were gonna broadcast this live but things got changed. The recording is live, you just can't see us. I look good, don't worry. As some of you already know, Ms. Witch was recently "knocked off her broom" quite suddenly. No need to worry viewers, she's is ok.

When I sat down and started to put together this interview, I must say I wasn't too sure what to expect from a green faced witch. I remember her from my childhood and that annoying cackle of hers. I think I was nine when my fist migraine hit me. Oh, and those flying monkeys...where in gods name did they come from? Never mind, that’s only one of six things Sally doesn’t want to know. Because of our younger listening audience tonight, I’ll refrain from telling you the other five. Ah, hold on just a second, it's been a busy week and my throat is aching....Christina! (She’s my new assistant and a distant relative of you know who) how bout that stoli! "Ms Secret, we are recording!" a quick turn to the left "thank you. ooops, I just can't stop saying what's on my mind... oh and before I forget, I want to say hello girls to Mandy Magnolia & Danesha Daffodil, this cute lesbian couple I meet while at the red light at 48th and 9th. They were washing their over-alls at the coin op, that new place... fluff & fold. Nice girls, very polite. They never asked for change? Anyway...slurp, that was refreshing.

After spending over 3 hours with her, I certainly learned a great deal about her “night job” at the movie place and all its inner mechanics, both public and private. Talk about entertainment! By the end of the interview, you to will also learn as did I, that she is truly a victim of several double standards. Hey, she's no post-it note, let me tell you. Well listeners, here is her true story. And no this isn’t the version you already heard. This one is sure to light a few dark hallways. Like the one in the loft with, oh won't dare bother with that right now...Max, you were fabulous! Good luck on your algebra test!

Editor’s note: some of the names have been changed to protect the guilty.

SS: Welcome to my show, Ms. Witch

Ww: Right. Thank you for your interest in my personal story.

SS: So, word on the street is you got the axe…

Ww: Every block of oak someday meets their axe dear. Blades dull over time and oaks survive. Talk to Treebeard, he’ll tell you.

SS: Ah, ok, I’ll talk to the trees the next time the cab drops me off at the forest. Anyway, I’m quite surprised at you’re a “manor of speaking” if you will. Being the Wicked Witch, my first thought was your vocabulary would be limited and a little gritty, if you know what I mean.

Ww: Just because someone calls you “wicked” doesn’t mean you’re uneducated. You know the old saying; don’t judge a book by its cover? I was but a young girl at the time that was quoted. It’s easy to judge others, especially when you don’t want to see your true self in the mirror. All you need do is cast all that hatred and guilt at someone else so that you can feel free of it.

SS: Ooh I love looking at myself in the mirror; I have one in every room of my apartment. And tossing a little spicy sauce here and there is always fun... I just love the after stains!

Ww: If you say so, Sally. If I may, I’d like to stand for a moment and show you something.

SS: Sure thing honey, unless it’s a secret birth defect. I’ve got a weak stomach to begin with.

Ww: There there dear, no need to worry of such things. Pay close attention…

SS: Good Christ! You’re pulling off your green skin? Sweet Loraine, you’re the Good Witch of the North!

GW: Yes I am dear. My heavens…look at the silk and lace, all wrinkled from this dreadful witch’s costume. All things come clean, in time. I wore this because I’ve been labeled as such. It’s time to step forward and show them who I really am. I must say that all the anger and disgust that has been running through my veins recently, has made me uneasy. I take great pride in being a good person, but the only way to have some closure to this matter is to become, temporarily, a wicked witch. This is why I have asked for this interview. I can do and say what needs to be, then walking away from it. I think now would be a good time to get comfortable and have a cup of tea. I have much to tell you. I’ve harbored many things for almost two years; a load I needn’t carry any longer.

SS: Christina! Two tea’s, one no spike. OK let’s break for a commercial and come back wand’s loaded!

To be continued…

by your command

the wait will soon be over...

19 september,
2006

"V" for the gift of sight

i rented this and took it to a friends house to watch. the film ended, i drove home and watched it again, immediately...i'm amazed that some slanted political group didn't try to stop this film from being released. and no barks from the christian colition? you'll see why.

in its opening monologue, we are told....remember remember the 5th of november. beyond that i will remember yesterday, it was the day that i experienced "V". anytime a well written film starts to ask all right questions and push all the buttons, i sink deep into it. V gave me something personal; affirmation on my own personal feelings about our world and how we exist within it. it also paints a picture, one i've seen in my mind far too many times, that wont ever hang in any art gallery. we are on this path of decay and destruction. what is to come could well be what you will see in this film. for those of us who still allow ourselves to think and to feel, V will show you what happens when you give in and give up. the film does not point the finger at anyone person or event, it presents itself as somewhat of a revolving square. the viewer gets an opportunity to see all the sides and thus you are able to draw your own conclusions as to who is responsible. who is right? who is wrong? if only it were that cut and dry. if you are someone who has ideas of "the end" but choose not to think about it because of the fear it brings, star far away from this film. if you are someone who wished more people would come together and demanded change, you will make a new friend, his name is V.

GCN Headline News 08-01-2006

This is a live, updated report.
And now our very own, Donna Gonna Tellem...

Good evening everyone, i'm donna gonna tellem and this breaking news just in. Just minutes after the stroke of midnight, the one on one interview with the wicked witch of the west is over. sally secret spent almost two hours conducting the live interview for the gotham city news and she's ready to talk. according to sally, the original interview was to be broadcast live, in its entirety. because the one on one went into overtime and a personal request not to air the interview by the witch was made, the editorial staff at GCT is transcribing the entire interview as we speak. seems the wicked witch was overcome by fatigue because of the heat from all the broadcast lights. inside sources say that she remained focused and was very precise in detail with her responses.

i called sally secret just before we went on the air to find out at least one detail or remark from the interview. she had this to say...

donna, all i will say at this point is....when you know that what you are doing is wrong and you don't want to be caught or questioned for doing it, you can do one of two things. focus all your rotten energy, make the world aware of the horrible person that lives deep inside you, and hunt down the person you want to silence. the second option, which works best for a lady who wants to be an avon representative someday, is face you own mistakes and take ownership of them. my advice to one of the persons mentioned in the interview-take the horn back while there's still time. you may need the extra cash. oh and donna, let your viewers know the entire q&a will be published and public within a few days.


well viewers there you have it. as soon as we get more details on the wicked witches q&a with sally secret, GCN will be there live. that you can count on. i'm donna gonna tellem and this has been a live breaking news update, here at gotham city news. good night...

hair doo's and donts

so i says nadine, have you heard the latest? hey, turn that damn dryer on low! you'll end up looking like shake & bake before the days over. and before i forget, it's your turn to bring the potato salad tonight for bridge. anyway, i was on my home from the pharmacy yesterday and i ran into alfie. so i says, hey alfie what's it all about?

i stood there in all that heat and humidity for almost 5 minutes till she caught her breath. it's a good thing my appointment was today and not yesterday. that humidity makes my hair curl in 27 different directions! then i get home and fred won't even look at me. all he says is "where's my meatloaf?" anyway, alfie tells me she was over at the gotham times the other day and she over heard 2 type setters yacking up a storm in the ladies powder room. a good girl would go in, do her business then get the hell out. why, alfie stayed in her stall for almost 20 minutes wanting every last detail. can you imagine the smell by then! any, she says the wicked witch of the west has left oz, just like we heard on the television. i always trust donna gonna tellem... anyway and she is going to do a one on one interview with sally secret at the gotham times! can you imagine? that will be the first time sally will look good on tv! did i say that?

anyway, according to what alfie heard the witch got the rug pulled right out from under at work from her store manager and store assistant manager! charlies angels minus one, i don't think so. seems the witch was made an example of and then they delivered the punch just this past thursday. can you imagine, riding a broom all that way to find out 48 minutes later you were gonna be slapped, fried and rolled out! alfie said that the women in stall 3.... you remember that one dont you vonda...or should i say fonda, fonda boys on a count of you sneaking that darling gas attendant billy joe bob into the ladys room...you should be ashamed! i must say he's better looking than my fred. so i was sayin', the lady in stall 3 said that it's all an issue of double standards. seems the witch was "guilty" of many of the same that the very ones that brought her down had done them selves. can you imagine? nadine, you know what that means when i'm holding up my hands and make those dancing peace fingers? nixon, what are nuts! did you take your logic pill today? i guess not... those are quotes. alfie also said that the witches boss and the boss's assistant have broken more procedures than g.i. joe when he was forced to take that weekend road trip with ken in the barbie bus. i'll never forgive her for that, she's in the attic for good.

look at the time would cha! vonda, are you listening cause i'm only gonna repeat this once more on a cout off your dry timer got stuck on turbo doo...pull that damn plug right now and pay attention. the wicked witch plans on spilling all the beans to sally secret at the times, one on one. if its a fight there lookin for, the witch plans on setting the broom, oops i mean the room on fire! she has documents, statements and a journal that she kept. she also plans on making all the information and documents public via her personal blog and her myspace blog. she's becoming quite modern. vonda, nadine...just cause she's old doesn't mean she can't climb the steps all the way to the top of corporate america. i wonder if she knows about escalator's.....

GCN Headline News 7-22-2006

this is a live special report...and now from the communication center of the Gotham City News,
our very own
Donna Tellem...

good evening, i'm donna gonna tellem and welcome to this live, special report. details are still sketchy but 3 gotham city residents have reportedly seen something unusual flying in the skies. it has been confirmed by commisioner gordon, that it's not batman. sources say it's a female, approximate age 60 to 150, with dark mellon green skin. she has, as i said earlier, been sited on three different occasions souring over gotham city at record speeds on a straw broom. yes viewers, i said a straw broom. local authorities are asking all residents of gotham city to check their utility closest immediately and report any missing household brooms to the proper authorities.

viewers.....Hold on i'm getting something...we now have conformation that it is in fact the wicked witch of the west. what she is doing here in gotham city is still unknown. again folks, it has been confirmed by the gotham city s.w.a.t division, the wicked witch of the west has left oz and is now, as we speak, circling high a-top the gotham city times building. stay tuned for more live reports and details as they become available. this is donna gonna tellem, reporting live from the communication center, here in gotham city...

20 july, 2006

so you thought a "little hot water" was all it would take?
...think again my pretty's!

killing a "witch" isn't all that easy and its impossible to silence one forever...

a word to the wise... keep your eyes to the sky and your ears wide open. you won't see me in the light but you will hear from me in the dark!

next stop, the gotham times.

east village horror

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Drag queen beaten
in E. Village horror
BY RICH SCHAPIRO AND ROBERT F. MOORE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Sunday, June 11th, 2006

An internationally known drag queen and recording artist was robbed and beaten by four trash-talking bullies who shouted anti-gay slurs at him in the East Village early yesterday.

"We're going to kill you, f----t!" at least one of them screamed as they followed 38-year-old Kevin Aviance down the street. "We're going to get you, f----t!"

Four suspects were arrested and charged with assault as a hate crime, cops said.

"I thought they were going to kill me," said Aviance, who suffered a broken jaw and bruises. "I was thinking 'Is this the way I'm going to die?'"

The brutal incident unfolded after Aviance, whose real name is Eric Sneed, left Phoenix, a gay club on E. 13th St. where he had met friends for drinks after posing for Homo Xtra magazine.

The 6-foot-3 diva, who often performs in elaborate gowns, was wearing what his publicist described as "boy clothes" - shorts, a black T-shirt with a hood, and a hat at the time.

In his bag, he was carrying pumps, women's clothing and makeup from his magazine shoot.

"I've been doing this for 15 years and I've never been harassed," Aviance said. "If anything people approach me with warmth."

As Aviance desperately tried to hail a cab a few blocks up First Ave. about 1:30 a.m., the attackers tossed debris at him, Aviance said. One thug punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground, he said.

The gang dragged him to the sidewalk and started kicking him, he said. "They were not human," he said.

"You can see the extent of the violence and hate," an investigator said. Aviance added that there were several witnesses to the beating who didn't help him. "They were just cold."

Someone did escort him to nearby Beth Israel Medical Center, where he had his jaw wired shut last evening. He was listed in stable condition.

The muggers snatched his cell phone and wallet.

Arrested last night were Gerard Johnson, 16, and Gregory Archie, 18, both of Manhattan; Akino George, 20, of the Bronx; and Jarrell Sears, 20, of Newark, N.J. A police source that a witness led cops to Johnson, who fingered at least one of the other suspects.

Aviance has been a mainstay of New York's underground club scene and has performed his dance hits all over the world. The bald gender-bender hit No. 1 on Billboard's dance music charts in 1997 with "Din Da Da" and topped the charts again in 2002 with "Alive." He has appeared on television's "America's Next Top Model" and in a music video for Madonna's "Secret."

He was supposed to host the closing party for Gay Pride Week, which begins June 18, but that won't happen this year because of his injuries, according to his publicist, Len Evans.

time to get uncomfortable

I just signed this petition to stop the divisive "Federal Marriage Amendment."

It's an election year, and Republicans are in deep trouble. Instead of addressing the things Americans really care about, they're trying to change the subject and use wedge issues in hopes of distracting from their failures and dividing Americans to win elections.

This time, LGBT families are the pawns in their political game. And this time, the American Constitution is their political playing field. They want to amend the Constitution to deprive gay people of equal rights under the law.

With your help, we can a powerful message to Republicans that legislating discrimination defames good people. Please join me by signing this petition:

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/lgbtdiscrmntn/fqsvxu

our next president 2006

here's a thought of mine you might consider...

what if no one decided to run for the president?

honestly, who in their right mind would want to embrace this time?

and if somehow, it happens, no matter how good of a person they may be, in the end they will shoulder the blame for everything that's bad and gone wrong...

are cylons gay?

in this heat...of course you would!

10,858 and still counting

if someone had asked me a year ago..."what's this blog thing your doing? or "do you think it will be received well?" my answers then would have had contained large amounts of uncertainty.

today, the answers are much clearer... i am pleased and also proud to say being ron b has become something really special to me and obviously to a great number of other folks as well; 10,858 page views to date from all over the world! Wow, just typing "all over the world" gives me the shivers! yes, it was a year ago today that i sat at my desk with this empty "virtual" pallet before me deciding then to, give the world a small glimpse into my thoughts, ideas and personal feelings on just about anything you could have imagined. i take great comfort in knowing now, after these past 12 months, people still read! but more importantly, that there are so many people from all over the world who still care about others. if all the compliments, suggestions and loyalty were represented by a single baseball for each, i could easily fill several stadiums with them! how do you even begin to consider thanking anyone for something so amazing? in one small way i've maintained my commitment, being ron b and staying with you via the blog.

i have had many wonderfull opportunities to make new friends as well as hear other thoughts and ideas from some of the most "creative" and "real" people i never knew existed. the sharing of links between blogs has also impacted me on positive levels i never imagined. the endless amounts of information and feelings i've gotten from other fellow bloggers has definitely enhanced the quality of my life. i'm part of a "family" again and all the experiences that come with it. it's certainly one of the best feelings i know and it's from you and because of you...

i tip my hat to all of you

summer of 2006 has arrived

although it's cool and overcast right now, these past few days have been FAR TOO HOT! Christ, the humidity consumes you instantly. Warm is ok, hot & humid not.

Anyway, when i'm not working or writing or thinking, me and graham (aka king farook) have decided, chillin is best!

yikes!

saw these sweet treats

and yes, those are in fact camouflaged gumballs!

Dictator Vows To Bring Down U.S. Gover nment

Cindy & Chavez
Venezuela Dictator Vows To Bring Down U.S. Gover nment

Venezuela government is sole owner of Citgo gasoline company

Venezuela Dictator Hugo Chavez has vowed to bring down the U.S. government. Chavez, president of Venezuela, told a TV audience : "Enough of imperialist aggression; we must tell the world: down with the U.S. empire. We have to bury imperialism this century."

The guest on his television program, beamed across Venezuela, was Cindy Sheehan, the antiwar activist. Chavez recently had as his guest Harry Belafonte, who called President Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world."

Chavez is pushing a socialist revolution and has a close alliance with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

Regardless of your feelings about the war in Iraq, the issue here is that we have a socialist dictator vowing to bring down the government of the U.S. And he is using our money to achieve his goal!

The Venezuela government, run by dictator Chavez, is the sole owner of Citgo gas company. Sales of products at Citgo stations send money back to Chavez to help him in his vow to bring down our government.

Take Action

Please decide that you will not be shopping at a Citgo station. Why should U.S. citizens who love freedom be financing a dictator who has vowed to take down our government?

Very important. Please forward this to your friends and family. Most of them don't know that Citgo is owned by the Venezuela government.


YOU CAN VERIFY THIS ON THE CITGO WEB PAGE.

i am no mans "bob"

Cate Blanchett to play Bob Dylan Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, who has portrayed Queen Elizabeth and Katharine Hepburn, will add another legend to her acting resume: Bob Dylan. The 37-year-old Australian actress is one of seven actors to play Dylan at various stages of his career in the biopic, "I'm Not There," tentatively scheduled for release next year. She'll portray a specific aspect of Dylan's personality, embodied by an androgynous singer-songwriter character named Jude, according to Killer Films, the movie's production company. Heath Ledger and his girlfriend and "Brokeback Mountain" co-star Michelle Williams have also joined the cast, along with Christian Bale, Julianne Moore and Richard Gere.

i go here, again and again and again

we hold onto the past because there was hope then...