Daily Archives: 12/29/2009

(Community Matters) From Towleroad:  Palin-Johnston custody lawsuit comes out in the open. Writes Dan Savage: “Before Republicans are allowed to impose their values on our families their political leaders—Sarah Palin, Mark Sanford, John Ensign, et al—should be required to successfully impose their own damn values on their own damn families for for five fucking minutes.”

(Community Matters) Fayza Elmostehi in the Houston Press names the 10 most Bangable Men in the Texas Technosphere.

No surprise to find my young friends, Austin-based hotties, Will Roman and John Erik Metcalf (actually now Bejing) among the bunch

Will Roman

John Erik Metcalf

(Community Matters) Yum – about 2 inches of snow on the ground, in the trees, on the walls & rooftops this morning.

Unlike previous visits, I haven’t spent much time taking pictures or blogging.  I’m not sure Steven and I have ever needed decompression time as bad as by the time we arrived last week.  Our lives are so full of joy, work, fun and opportunities; nevertheless, we should probably be a bit more judicious at life’s buffet.

Not to mention, there are tons of Marfa pictures already in this blog – and pictures of almost all our Marfa friends.  We’ve reconnected and shared meals with many.  Though, we’ve also just hung alone more than ever – about half & half.  It’s been delightful and rejuvenating.  Steven spent yesterday in Terlingua celebrating Leslie Jarmon’s life with her family as they sang, reminisced and hiked spreading her ashes at her property.  I spent the day reading, writing and organizing for the arrival of many of our dearest friends for a three-day celebration of the new year.  Since here, I’ve finished Michael Crichton’s Pirates Latitude and am now reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Lacuna.

This place (Marfa) remains magical – the big sky, big horizon, exquisite light, minimalist setting, epicenter of minimalist art, gathering spot for an eclectic, yet strangely homogenous mix of people and indigenous German-ancestor ranchers and Mexican workers who’ve always been made this a liberal oasis in West Texas.   It’s the one time of the year we see certain friends from around the country – interestingly, everyone is talking about staying just a bit under the radar, taking it easier and having more down time this holiday.  Maybe it’s been a really busy/stressful fall for everyone.  hmm, need to explore this more.

All this said, and I can’t wait for our friends to arrive for the new year celebration.  The Cohen-Cramers (Sonya, Reid, Dio & Gabel) arrive tonight after a day in Carlsbad Caverns.  Margo, Gregory & Benjamin spending tonight at Indian Lodge in Ft. Davis, then here midday tomorrow.  Tomorrow the arrival of the Fefermans (Rachel & Michael), the Christies (Tana & Joe), Margaret Keys, the Graves (Nancy, Keith, Emma & Max), Jill McRae & Stephen Yelenosky, the Bermans (Solvye, Isaac, Daniel, Ingrid & Mitch), the Hughes (Kim & Kyle), Trey Herschap & Vivian Castano, Michael Mitchell/Robert Torian, Victoria Corcoran & Jeff Neal, Richard Hartgrove & Gary Cooper, Graydon Parish & Heath Riddles; Susan Ghertner, Christina Gutierrez & Hazel Barbour; and I’m missing some and will add later.  Tomorrow night,  McDonald Observatory private tour, dinner with the astronomers, star party (on a near blue moon night) and looking through the 107-inch telescope; softball & soccer organized by Gabel & Michael F on Thursday, lunches, dinners, a book reading, the new years eve party in the Paisano’s Rock Hudson suite (sneaking away briefly for Tobin Levy’s bash across town), brunch at the Hilltop Hotties place overlooking the city on new years day, parlour games, hiking and good food that day/evening and just reading, eating, long conversations and chilling with our dearest friends until the last head home on the 3rd.

Steven is doing serious writing and will likely have a first draft of his play before we leave.  Next week, I kick back into remote work mode & ADL planning.  Already working on our first and second quarter calendars.  hmm, and seriously thinking about some art.

(Community Matters) Gotta love author, playwright, activist Larry Kramer, the Yale-educated founder of ACT-UP.  His upcoming book – The Amercan People – likely to cause as much furry as his activism.

Mr. Kramer gets my nomination as the most important contemporary member of our LGBT community

(Community Matters) There really is a blue moon 12/31 – even a partial lunar eclipse from some continents – report here