Heat Wave

The Bay Area has been struck by record heat the past couple of days. In Oakland, we have been right around a hundred degrees and the City has seen temperatures in the nineties. Very, very, very unusual for this time of year. Global warming continues to rear its ugly head. It has been a dry year in the hills and wildfires continue to spark. Santa Cruz County is dealing with its third batch of fires this year already. A church in east Oakland caught fire today and took out five buildings before it was brought under control. Being only ten blocks away from my apartment, it was a little close for comfort.

My parents are in town, having made it here after almost a month in Japan. We are such different people, they and I. I feel like the black puppy in a litter of white and brown spotted dogs. My dad is such an amazing man. Military veteran, engineer, mechanic extraordinaire, great father, quiet, funny, fearless, and loyal. Still, being the son of conservatives he cannot help, but utter comments like, "Well, just wait for a Democrat to take over and then we'll really see the country messed up." I cannot imagine what it must be like for both he and my mother to visit here. This is such a different culture and way of life than he and my mother are used to. My mom has come a long way over the years in giving me acceptance and support. Still, she also has uttered some statements along the way this trip that make me laugh. I was channel surfing the other day with my Mom and we came across Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D List. I did not give it much thought, but left the program on and my mother looked at me in horror and said, "Oh no. She was on Larry King last week and I cannot tell you what filth came out of her mouth." Hmm... So maybe my mom is not quite Kathy Griffin's target audience. The "Suck it Jesus" Emmy Award speech probably did not help her case. I assume by this point that my mother conveniently chooses not to think about my day to day lifestyle at all. I tried to educate her about the humor that Kathy Griffin employs being very gay themed and oriented, but my mom did not get it at all. For me, I am an inherently curious person. I always want to know what makes people tick and how their human experience is versus mine. From my mom's point of view, apparently not. The less she has to think about anything different than her life experience and views, the better. I try my best to bite my tongue and not interject too much bickering into our conversations considering we see each other so rarely, but some of the ridiculous statements that come out of her mouth cannot go unchallenged.

Anyhow, my parents were returning from attending my niece's high school graduation in Japan. They were flying military standby and got stuck heading back to the states. Thanks to my generous friend at United, I scored them a couple of buddy passes that got them this far. I am taking them to the local Air Force base tomorrow and they are going to continue their quest to make it back to their car in Maryland. It's similar to an episode of the Amazing Race, but in slow motion with old contestants. Maybe The Senior Race or The Geriatric Race? (All of you haters, pipe down. I am fully aware that I am going to be old too someday and you can all feel free to make jokes at my expense.)

Exciting news from the peninsula. I have completed my training phase at my new job and I am working on my own! Training seemed to fly by for me and I am starting to recognize all of the people I work with and not be so lost by the many faces and voices we deal with. A big thank you to all of my friends and family who have helped me through the retraining process and been so supportive. My life is so rich and wonderful because of all of you and I thank you for this.

Gay Pride week is almost here! The film festival began last night and I am trying to squeeze in some films this week. Next Sunday is the big day and I cannot wait. My favorite day of the year. Looking forward to hanging with old friends and meeting up with new ones. Come one, come all. Get in touch with me for info if you want to join the party.

Everyone stay cool and I will write soon. Cuidate.