1 Comment Sagesse
Happy holidays, P8TTers!
December 24, 2010
By Adam Bink
It’s time for a holiday thread!
Yours truly is staying here in town. I’m joining some friends near Annapolis for a wonderful, veggie-friendly Christmas Eve dinner tonight, and some more friends tomorrow. I usually go home to Western New York or on vacation, but after a very busy month, I just want to relax, take care of some things, and just chill out. And of course, have my Courageous Conversation with a family member. I’m checking out a copy of The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen today (anyone read it?), visiting the new Wegmans grocery store in suburban Maryland (see here if you want to know why this is a big deal), starting Battlestar Galactica with my boyfriend next week, playing some touch football, etc. But, my Chanukah present from my boyfriend was a trip to NYC plus a musical, so we’re going to head up for a few nights next week to see In The Heights (it’s closing in January), eat at Zen Palate, see some friends, splurge at 2nd Avenue Deli, and continue my quest to find the best bagel in the city (leave your suggestions, please!). Then, we’re hanging with some friends for New Year’s.
How will you be spending your holiday?
As for P8TT, this’ll probably be my last post until after New Year’s. Real time off means real time off from everything, including blogging here and at my home blog, OpenLeft.com. If something comes up and I am inspired to write, I will, but we’ll have having Golden Oldies here for the next week or so. Of course, feel free to comment on their content, or on whatever else you like. And if you haven’t suggested a post you’d really like to see re-published, tonight’s the last thread in which to do it.
And remember, if you found some great holiday deals and have some extra cash on you (or if you love this site enough), please make a tax-deductible contribution to Prop8TrialTracker.com. We’ve become such a strong community here, but it doesn’t come free. It’s all funded by small donations, so every dollar you put it in is another dollar you’ll get back out of P8TT. You can chip in here.
So happy holidays, and if you’re celebrating, Merry Christmas to you. We’ve come a long way for equality in 2010, from the Prop 8 trial to repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to the It Gets Better campaign and more. It was fun doing it with you, and will be fun doing it even better in 2011.
Filed under: Community/Meta
69 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Ann S. | December 24, 2010 at 4:03 am
Happy Holidays, Adam, and all you other P8TTers!!
2.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 24, 2010 at 4:12 am
Adam, I really wish you were on FB. Would love to have you on the list so you can see our pictures from Chanukkah this year. Enjoy your Chanukkah present! Enjoy your time off!
3.
Michelle Evans | December 24, 2010 at 4:20 am
Our Christmas is usually pretty laid back. Cherie and I have a few presents to open, then I cook up some omelettes for brunch. The rest of the day is for cuddling and watching favorite Christmas movies. These include A Muppet Christmas Carol, Toys, and Scrooged. There are also a couple of Doctor Who Christmas specials on BBC America, including a concert and their version of a Christmas Carol.
Adam, thanks for all you've accomplished for us here at the P8TT, and hope you enjoy Battlestar Galactica. Awesome series.
Curious what other seasonal favorite movies and shows others enjoy in this community. And just think, here we are at the end of 2010 with so many new friends that we've made here, whereas just a year ago none of us had ever met. How amazing our expanding universe is.
4.
Mandi | December 24, 2010 at 4:47 am
Still lurking…
5.
Ronnie | December 24, 2010 at 4:49 am
I saw "In The Heights" with the original cast…great show…the music is fun & colorful…the show is colorful…the characters are larger then life…My mother & I went to see "Wintuk" by Cirque Du Soleil & "West Side Story" this year….both are closing….We went to Carmine's for dinner this past Monday when we saw "West Side Story"…the food is sooooo good….They serve huge portions of Italian dishes on platters….whatever you don't take of the platter onto your own plate to eat they donate to the homeless….
& on that note…Happy Holidays…..<3…Ronnie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkLAsPslUVM
6.
Ronnie | December 24, 2010 at 5:04 am
Oh & I'll be spending Christmas Day at one of my cousins house…the next day I'll be at another cousins house….during the week btw. then & New Years I may be going to look at some apartments in NYC…trying to move in mid January….I'll also be working on final sketches for my collection/debut fashion line, my business proposal for my benefactor who is going to introduce me to some people who he believes will be interested in investing in my work, & ordering fabric samples….I'm going to be busy the next few months…..<3…Ronnie
7.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 5:04 am
Ok…I was feeling "Bah Humbug" when saw this post as working all weekend…but Michelle painted such a lovely portrait decided to chime in. Favorite C. Movie? "A Christmas Story" …me and hubby taking kids out to Chinese restaurant tomorrow after work in the C. Story tradition : ) hanging out after that cuddling and watching old shows from internet…some of recent favorites "Galaxy High" and "Jem and the Holograms" ….I know…my kids roll their eyes at us too ; )
8.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 5:05 am
p.s. we tried to like Glee but just can't get into it….and really don't watch much TV anyway..
9.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 5:06 am
: )
10.
Mandi | December 24, 2010 at 5:32 am
K…
christmas day will be spent with my inlaws. To put that in perspective… When i was pregnant for my oldest, my sister in law theatened to knock me down the stairs so that i'd miscarry and her brother wouldn't be 'stuck' with me. My grandma in law referred to me as 'josh's little whore' the first time she met me. My father in law refers to me as a 'bull dyke' because i prefer my hair rather short.
…so i'm feelling a bit bah humbug this holiday season. However, i wish all of you here a wonderful time hopefully spent with the people you love. And i'm looking forward to living vicariously through all of you, so keep posting.
11.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 6:10 am
((BIG HUGS)) Mandi – Love, Gregory
12.
Kathleen | December 24, 2010 at 6:27 am
BIG HUGS, Mandi. I'm sorry you have to spend time around such awful people. Wishes for peace and serenity in the midst of that insanity.
And to all my P8TT family – wishes for a wonderful holiday. The excitement is building around here as my five y.o. g'son anticipates Santa's arrival tonight.
13.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 6:30 am
for you Mandi : ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI4JT6Q5PGk
14.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 6:41 am
best wishes to you too Kathleen : )
15.
Rhie | December 24, 2010 at 6:41 am
Watching
16.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 6:47 am
Hi Rhie : ) Happy Holidays!
17.
Ozymandias71 | December 24, 2010 at 7:08 am
Warning – saccharine alert!
Christmas 2010 is quite the Renaissance for me.
Previously I had a 'bah humbug' attitude about Christmas… I think a lot of that attitude came from being alone at the holidays – being around my disfunctional family wasn't an option (if I wanted to keep my sanity, anyway) and I had long ago tired of being at friends' houses and being painfully reminded of what I didn't have, if you folks know what I mean.
This year, though is different. Meeting Josh, falling in love, deciding that this was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, moving in together, building a life together, and all that very happy chaos has culminated in one of the best holiday seasons EVER. I've been entirely welcomed by my in-laws and an extra chair is reserved for me at all the family gatherings. Putting up our Christmas tree was beautiful in its' simplicity – just Josh and me… and that made me realize what I've been missing these years. Giving Josh his present (early, 'cause he wouldn't wait) and watching his eyes light up
18.
Ozymandias71 | December 24, 2010 at 7:14 am
… was wonderful. I'm so very happy to share my Christmas joy this year. I hope everyone has an excellent holiday this year…
Love,
Ozy (who loves his phone but still learning how it works)
19.
Lodi Gal | December 24, 2010 at 7:29 am
Merry Christmas, Ozy.
I read the discussion here often, but post only rarely. Your story is beautiful and made me reach for a kleenex.
20.
JonT | December 24, 2010 at 7:37 am
☮
And back at you Kathleen & Co!
21.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 7:49 am
: ) !!!!
22.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 7:56 am
Anti-saccharine alert! (though I do like the "S" ones too!)
My very best friend for past 30+ years sent me a very Christian Christmas eCard reminding me of the "true" meaning of Christmas….and "pass it along to a 'million' of your fried so you will be blessed"….. We have the familiarity and security to say whatever is on our mind to each other w/out risk offending….here was my response…maybe some here can relate:
note: his Brother "Kurt" is a Mormon Bishop, authorized by law to perform civil marriages.
"
I got your card….BAH HUMBUG!
I have much resentment toward Christian practicing persons and their interpretation of what it means to be Christian that I don't feel much like hearing the traditional songs and stuff…..I associate these familiar tunes and stories with some traumatic ways my life unfolded.
There is much ignorance, hate and discrimination toward LGBT persons. Living my life from this perspective has really opened my eyes. Having said that I feel a spiritual kinship with Jesus Christ and with Joseph Smith and appreciation for their contributions to humanity…but all the rest of the fiction that goes along with religion…specifically some interpretations of scriptures, rules, laws that Christians impose I see as anything but Christ-like. One example was your brother Kurt, who used Amy's wedding as a blatant political statement of how what I was doing is wrong and the only true way to live is one man and one woman…..which is ironic in itself as Brigham Young and Joseph smith each had many wives…I find it rather arrogant of Kurt to presume he knows what is right or wrong for me. I certainly don't know what is best for him… Not too pick on Kurt exclusively, I've had years of Bishops and other church leaders attempt to socialize me in a way that was not authentic for me and I still hold resentment from that… but the resentment is fading as I live a life that feels "WONDERFUL TO ME…"
And then there is my parents lying to me about Santa…GGRrrrrrr….
Christmas is NOT my favorite holiday… but I still buy some presents…enjoy extra time off and other holiday perks(bonus, luncheons, etc) Also, attended Oscar's school program yesterday, he was very cute…. and went to Rebecca's jr. high school choir last week. Their choir is quite good…reminds me of how Mr. Bacon put a good music program together for us. Interestingly, Becca does NOT like singing Christmas music as its too "churchy and dogmatic" for her tastes….she has her own form of Eastern/Asian/other philosophies about life which I'm grateful life has brought me to a place that I can embrace my daughter w/out judging her or worrying she won't go to the celestial kingdom or something…I love her just the way she is and find her brilliant and unique.
I started to type more things but that is enough rant for now I think!
"
23.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 8:19 am
oooooooo! Awesome Ronnie! Keep us posted!
24.
Sheryl Carver | December 24, 2010 at 8:27 am
Due to some complications following eye surgery last month, I'll be spending Xmas day as I have the past few days – with my head in a face-down orientation. Rather boring. However, it now sounds quite lovely compared to the day Mandi must deal with. Be strong, Mandi!
Best holiday wishes to all the P8TT community!
25.
Kathleen | December 24, 2010 at 8:34 am
Ozy, thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I'm so happy for you. Hugs and Merry Christmas!!!
26.
Kathleen | December 24, 2010 at 8:35 am
And to you, Gregory and JonT. I'm feeling lots of love at the moment.
27.
anonygrl | December 24, 2010 at 8:54 am
I am spending Christmas with my brother, two sisters and their spouses. Just the seven of us, at my brother's house, then we are headed down to New Jersey to meet up with a bunch of cousins for lunch the day after Christmas before my sister has to fly back home to Texas.
I have the best family, and it is lovely to spend time with them whatever the reason, so we are having a good time. Tonight we are going to the holiday lights display in the park, tomorrow a nice breakfast, then spend the day hanging out together, maybe playing cards. A few presents, but we decided not to go crazy this year, which is fine, because us just getting together is what matters.
28.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 9:19 am
thank you for taking time to post anonygrl — hope u have a lovely time : ) Love, Gregory
29.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 24, 2010 at 9:21 am
For those who are not on FB, here is the link to my Chanukkah pictures. Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44937&i…
30.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 10:04 am
Hope you get feeling better Sheryl….I agree….Mandi's in/out laws predicament seems undesirable at best!
31.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 10:20 am
Thanks Richard…as I do not have FB. Love the cute doggie w/ "Happy Chanukkah " clothing…very festive : )
32.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 24, 2010 at 12:25 pm
That is Zusha. He is a toy poodle who thinks he is a cross between a German shepherd, a Doberman, and a Rottweiler, and has more mouth than all the choirs that ever sang combined!
33.
Chris From CO | December 24, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Have a great Christmas. You all have been wonderful. : )
34.
Chris From CO | December 24, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Neat I love the pics
35.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 24, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Thanks! We always get the rainbow packages of Chanukkah candles for each of our menorahs. Of course, this will be the last year I will be able to use the one I painted last year. I will have to go to the AJI website and order a new one to paint for next year. Too much wax and too many burns this year.
36.
ElsieH | December 24, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Having a fabulous Christmas with a group of friends who have no family in town. My own family is 3,000 miles away and I like it that way.
Y'all have a great New Year's.
37.
Sagesse | December 24, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Merry Xmas (and other appropriate compliments of the season) to all my friends at P8TT. I am going to name some names, and I will miss some, apologies in advance. In no particular order.
A wonderful holiday to you and yours, Adam and Rick, Eden, Arisha and Anthony and Phyllis, and Brian-squared, Rob Tish, Kathleen and Ann S., Richard and BZ, Bob, Gregory and Hubby and kids, Mark M and Robert, Alan E, Dave P, anonygrrl, JonT, Felyx and Kirille and Papa, Michelle, Kate and EVERYONE.
38.
Kevyn & Felyx | December 24, 2010 at 11:05 pm
All the way from The Land of Snow, Happy Holidays и с Новым Годом!
С любовью,
Kevyn & Felyx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QjX5afXq28
39.
Kathleen | December 24, 2010 at 11:47 pm
OMG!!! What a wonderful gift to wake up to on Christmas morning. I'm sooooooooooooooo happy for the two of you and can hardly wait to hear all about the visit. Don't have the words to express how happy this makes me. XOXOXOXOXO
40.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 24, 2010 at 11:57 pm
LOLROTF!!!! thank you for that image truly laughing out loud!!!
41.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 25, 2010 at 12:01 am
Chills and Tears! how remarkably beautiful! Ditto…no words can express…..
42.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 25, 2010 at 12:07 am
sobs of gratitude for having people here who love and accept me as I am w/out any "ickyness" happy holiday to you too Sagesse and those you care about! Love, Gregory
43.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 25, 2010 at 12:59 am
subs
44.
Mandi | December 25, 2010 at 1:01 am
Sooooo cute!! Thank you kirill and fylex for posting that video clip! (and one i can follow the link with my phone!) merry christmas.
also thank you to those that responded to my post. Hoping everyone here has very happy holidays (and that the nombie spies see all the happy, joyful comments and suddenly relealize that it's the freedom to be oneself that is the secret to real happiness; the kind that allows others to be happy without taking away from your own happiness and enstead adding to it. I will pray to my pagan gods that someday you nombies will allow yourselves that happiness.)
Yay! I got a reprive! My aniety over spending the day with people that hate me made me physically ill. So my sweetie tucked me back in bed and loaded the kids up ( in the van we just recieved as a christmas present from a local used car place!) and went to spend the day with his family without me. Makes me appeciate such a special solstice season all the more and pray that someday i'm able to love my sweetie like he deserves.
45.
Ronnie | December 25, 2010 at 1:18 am
Happy Holidays Felyx & Kevyn…<3…Ronnie
46.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 25, 2010 at 1:18 am
WOOT! for Mandi's day w/out relatives and a HUGE congrats for new van!
47.
Ronnie | December 25, 2010 at 1:19 am
Cast of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" national tour say "It Gets Better "
Happy Holidays to everyone here at P8TT……<3…Ronnie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv1dzKwE708
48.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 25, 2010 at 1:46 am
We have a plaque hanging in the office at home which says: "Happiness is having a large, loving, close-knit family in another city!
49.
Ronnie | December 25, 2010 at 1:54 am
This video is so fun…."A Gay Christmas"…..I love it….."stocking stuffer"……ROTFLMGAYAO……<3….Ronnie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkcUsfsHQnI&fe…
50.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 25, 2010 at 2:00 am
And here is a wish from us that everyone has a WONDERFUL, SAFE, HAPPY holiday season, and that the season of miracles extends longer than just a few days, with each day getting better and brighter for you all!
51.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 25, 2010 at 2:03 am
You two really know how to make a holiday bright for everyone, don't you?
52.
Sagesse | December 25, 2010 at 2:15 am
Ah, but Gregory, ickyness is in the eye of the beholder. I can't recall seeing ickyness in anybody, ever. Unfortunately, those around you forced their perception onto you. Not nice, not fair, and not right.
53.
Sagesse | December 25, 2010 at 2:24 am
Such a cute couple
. All the best to you both.
54.
Kathleen | December 25, 2010 at 2:50 am
Yay for Mandi getting a reprieve from nasty in-laws!
55.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 25, 2010 at 3:12 am
Yes! Today has really been a good news day, hasn't it? Sorry that Mandi is sick, but glad that she won't have to put up with toxic people today! And we are looking forward to meeting more of our P8TT family on Tuesday! Will let everyone know more on that when Tuesday arrives!
56.
Gregory in Salt Lake | December 25, 2010 at 3:42 am
sweet!
57.
Kevyn & Felyx | December 25, 2010 at 4:14 am
Thank you all for your love and good cheer! It is 10 pm here now… so we are sleepy but we will read all the rest of the comments in the morning.
We love you all!
F&K
58.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 25, 2010 at 4:23 am
You two really do make a lovely couple! Thank you again for brightening the day for us here in Hope Mills! Sweet dreams, fellas!
59.
Elizabeth Oakes | December 25, 2010 at 6:59 am
Greetings of the season to you all, P8TTers, and sorry I've been away for a while…mandatory visits to relatives and work have kept me away digitally but not in spirit! I'm so happy about the new era of "Ask..and Tell!" and hope that this next year holds many more victories, both political and personal in nature.
To all of you, I wish a joyous, healthy, and restorative holiday, and an abundant Happy New Year!!!
As for how we spend Christmas, I'm in an interfaith marriage so we have our own adapted holiday traditions and observe many cultural customs (including Hannukah, Lucia Day, Yule, etc.) but our Christmas consists of gorging on an all-day buffet of our most favorite and disgustingly heart-clogging foods (pannetone French toast for breakfast, blue cheese and salami pie for lunch, chips/salsa/olives/chocolates in the interstices, equally decadent dinner), drinking my special hot wassail, reading/watching movies/doing crossword puzzles by the fire, and whatever else strikes us as fun. My husband is smiling and ripping through the Hercule Poirot book I got him (our first venture into Agatha Christie, which we discovered via the BBC series) and I'm catching up with social networking and then, settling in with a good chunky puzzle. Happy music is playing, and maybe later tonight we'll roll our bloated selves into the car and ogle the over-the-top Christmas light displays in other parts of L.A. We've been laughing hysterically because we both gifted each other with marble rolling pins because we've been baking a lot lately…Gift of the Morons! (My husband made a warning label for his: "NOT SUITABLE FOR USE ON RECALCITRANT HUSBANDS" with the appropriate international icon.)
I hope you all have as much fun as we do, and health/happiness/good luck to you throughout the year. Wassail, and looking forward to seeing you back on the battle front in 2011!
60.
Richard A. Jernigan | December 25, 2010 at 7:22 am
The warning label on the rolling pins is correct. The marble ones are not good for recalcitrant husbands. They crack too easily. Use a wooden one instead, LOL! Or you could get one of the Tupperware ones that you fill and freeze, LOL!
61.
Sheryl Carver | December 25, 2010 at 7:56 am
Thanks for your good wishes, Gregory.
The prognosis is good so hoping all will turn out OK. I enjoy being home & hanging out with my animals, so it's really not a bad way to spend Xmas day.
I wish for you that the unconscious-yet-rabid Xtians who try to foist their beliefs upon you & the rest of us become enlightened enough to STFU!
Hope you & yours are having a very good day!
62.
Sheryl Carver | December 25, 2010 at 8:08 am
Perhaps he's decided that the best defense is a good offense? Since that strategy appears to be working (from his perspective), why mess with success?
Sometimes I wish I had more of his mouthiness, whatever his reason.
Happy Holidays, Richard!
63.
Lodi Gal | December 25, 2010 at 10:20 am
You're both adorable. So happy that you could be together for the holidays. Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!
64.
Sheryl, Mormon Mothe | December 26, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Guess I didn't check in on Christmas Eve. Son and I also watched Christmas Story. Such a fun and sweet movie. I always have problems liking the dad until Christmas morning when he questions Ralphie about those pjs and then points out the gift behind the desk.
Hoping all of my P8TT friends had a great Christmas. Thanks to my wonderful son, I had a very wonderful Christmas by spending Christmas Eve at his place, just us two. hubby and daughter came over on Christmas day. We didn't totally exclude them but I sure enjoyed my downtime with son. No expensive gifts, just enjoying a good movies and 3 games of cribbage, which I'm happy to say 2 of 3 went to me. LOL.
65.
BK | January 1, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Awesome! Love you guys!
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