jacobsladderpa

bags made from sail boat sails ! I LOVE THEM!

2009-03-16T10:04:04Z

etsy store !!

2008-12-21T00:07:28Z

robmarchettidesigns.etsy.com

signing up for an acct (which come with no obligation or cost) using me as a referral and adding me as a favorite would greatly help me w/ exposure

i'd be ever so grateful.

Rob

a letter from PFAW

2008-12-20T16:36:38Z

December 19, 2008

Dear Robert,

When I heard on Wednesday that Rev. Rick Warren had been selected to deliver the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Obama, I was deeply disappointed. While Warren has been hailed in the media as "new breed of evangelical" and he does have a strong record on addressing poverty and the global HIV/AIDS crisis, the reality is that he also is a divisive Religious Right demagogue.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee website states that it "will organize an inclusive and accessible inauguration that ... unites the nation around our shared values and ideals." President-elect Obama's soaring campaign speeches included similar calls for Americans to unite around what brings us together rather than what tear us apart, and we deeply appreciate that he wants to heal the divide in our often deeply polarized country. But Rick Warren is a powerful leader who marginalizes and dehumanizes those who disagree with him -- he does nothing to help unite Americans!

In an interview just last week, Warren compared reproductive choice to the Holocaust and compared same-sex marriage to incest and pedophilia, and he called Christians who work to advance social justice gospel "Marxism in Christian clothing." He's also stated that there are five issues that all candidates should be evaluated on -- the top three are reproductive choice, same-sex marriage and stem-cell research.

Is this the sort of inclusion millions of Americans voted for on November 4? We strongly agree with President-elect Obama that everyone should have a seat at the table, but only those who treat others with respect should get a seat of honor. We have high hopes for the change Obama has pledged to bring to Washington, but we also need to let him know when we think he's making a bad move. Please join me in signing an open letter to President-elect Obama to let him know that we are disappointed that he's giving Rev. Warren such a public position of honor in the inauguration, and we hope that we can use this as a teachable moment. It's not that Rick Warren simply disagrees with us -- and President-elect Obama for that matter -- on "issues." His views on basic equality, human rights and core constitutional values cannot be legitimized as reasonable.

Please add your name to the letter today.

All the best,

Kathryn Kolbert, President
Kathryn@pfaw.org

P.S. It's been a great year. I've been thrilled to be part of People For the American Way and the exciting, important work we’ve done together. I've counted on you for support, to be the voice of the grassroots, and to spread the word about our important campaigns. You've done so much and you have my gratitude and appreciation for all of it. This will be my last Friday note until the new year, so I wanted to make sure to say THANK YOU for all you do.

People For the American Way depends on the support of its members. Help make sure America lives up to the promise of freedom and equality for all by funding the work of People For with a gift today.

To ensure that People For e-mails are not diverted to your spam or bulk folders,
please add alerts@pfaw.org to your address book and/or "safe list."

People For the American Way 2008
2000 M Street, NW Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-326-PFAW

Buddhism

2008-12-11T11:03:28Z

it began with something on NPR, Jesse Kornbluth was talking, they plugged his website www.headbutler.com. I'm hooked.

Jesse introduced Thich Nhat Hanh ( Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist.) by way of a 'review/recommendation of Nhat Hanh's book: Teachings on Love

I'd been previously in the dark about Buddhism. It resonates with me.

tonight, I watched a DVD Bill Moyers on Faith & Reason: Pema Chodron in which Bill Moyers speaks with Pema Chodron (Ordained Buddhist nun in the Tibetan vajrayana tradition, and a teacher in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa) about ideas and teachings that have special significance for western Buddhists and will resonate with non-Buddhists as well.

{Have I mentioned that I've discovered my local public library and its' trove of DVD's}

Pema Chodron has me contemplating:

that i lived such a superficial life until i found out i had a disease for which their is no cure.
when you can't get rid of it, you hit a positive bottom, then you surrender and become awakened.

Forward

for the BIBLE tells me so

2008-11-11T19:21:49Z

The DVD "for the BIBLE tells me so" A film by DANIEL KARSLAKE, had been on my Amazon wish list for some time. It was an official selection at Sundance as well as a few other film festival awards. I found a copy at the Camp Hill Public Library. I'm delighted and hopeful at having seen so many in the film thoughtfully and articulately confront the hatred and discrimination that comes from the religious right.

Have a box of tissues handy.

jacobsladderpa @ 2008-11-08T14:44:00

2008-11-08T19:45:42Z

Jesus and Mary Magdalene (sort of)

proud papa!!

2008-04-23T21:45:00Z

A week or so ago, my daughter played the role Annie in 'Annie' at her Middle school. It was a moment for sure.

photo courtesy of Stephen Cherry Photography.

The Bible now has a place in my life!

2008-04-22T21:42:32Z

combine the holy bible w/ some gorilla glue and some irwin tools and VOILA! my flatware drawer is repaired!!! that's a gift from baby jesus.

I'm Here!!!!!

2008-04-16T01:16:39Z

I know it's been forever since I've posted. I'm enjoying an Unemployment Compensation funded respite from the drivel of a work-a-day job. Presently focusing some of my energy on this Years AIDS Walk. Please consider walking :)

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Carousel Pavilion - City Island, Harrisburg

Registration - Noon
Walk Begins - 2PM

Register today at AIDS Walk South Central PA

For more information please call 1-800-867-1550

Random Thoughts

2008-02-02T00:33:30Z

"positive outlook" what is that? and why would one describes themselves that way. Is it not better to just possess one. many times when i see it in a profile, more often than not, the claimant does not possess. if ya know what i mean.

me ranting :)

Which Presidential Candidates Support Needle Exchange?

2007-11-29T15:47:26Z

About 40 HIV/AIDS advocates convened in Manhattan today to support the launch of political watchdog website AIDSVote.org.

New York-based advocacy groups Housing Works and Gay Men’s Health Crisis announced the launch of the site in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood this morning as they unveiled results from an AIDSVote.org candidate questionnaire and from “Where Do They Stand? The Gay Men’s Health Crisis Report on the 2008 Presidential Candidates and HIV/AIDS Issues.”

“World AIDS Day is this Saturday, but you could also say that World AIDS Day is Election Day 2008. That’s because our next president will have the opportunity and the responsibility to end AIDS,” said Charles King, President and CEO of Housing Works. “She or he will have the tools to treat 33 million people living with HIV—including over a million Americans—around the planet, as well as the tools to stop the spread of the virus. We’re here to build the political will to make that happen.”

The results from the surveys showed vast differences between Democratic and Republican candidates. While seven Democratic candidates have pledged $50 billion to fight HIV/AIDS around the world, no Republican candidates have made such a commitment.

Additionally, the three leading Democratic candidates, Senator Barack Obama, Senator Hilary Clinton and former Senator John Edwards, all have shown public support for ending the ban on using federal dollars to fund needle-exchange programs—programs that have been proven to reduce the spread of HIV without increasing drug use.

AIDSVote.org is a nonpartisan campaign that is working to make sure that presidential candidates of all parties know the best strategies for fighting AIDS in the United States and around the world.

from: http://www.poz.com/articles/aidsvote_hiv_election_1_13564.shtml

and then I read it again....

2007-11-20T05:56:43Z

and I thought it was worthy of note:

I am not full of virtues and noble qualities. I love. That is all. But I love strongly, exclusively and steadfastly.

the Down Low

2007-11-20T00:45:39Z

Oh where to begin. This is Allen. He occupies the cubicle next to mine. Allen is 27ish. Claims his mother is a fag hag and that's how he knows so much about all things 'gay'. While in a few years with a bit of maturity, Allen will be a decent guy, at the moment he usually annoys the piss out of most of us. Allen referred to his GF as his 'Fiance' for he first few weeks he worked here. I asserted that str8 men don't use such terminology, so he opted for 'special lady friend'. (much more butch). So we all tease Allen about being on the DL relentlessly and to his credit he rolls with it very well.

Today, Allen described an recent shopping trip to 'Excitement Video' with his 'special lady friend' in which she said "I'll buy you anything you want, no questions". Excitement Video, according to Allen has an extensive collection of 'toys' available.

Allen honey, even she knows your GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I'd like to state for the record that I declined any purchases"

HIV is not fun.

2007-11-19T06:16:55Z

I have the most bizarre schedule...

I work typically M -F 15:30 - 24:00. At least that's what my email signature says. It's Monday morning at 01:10 ish and I'm at work. I usually sleep from 04:00 to 12:00. So I'm not yet interrupting normal sleep and I can use the OT. I may throw off the MED schedule which is an issue. So it has me thinking about something I heard Harvey Firestein talk about recently. I'll include a link below if I can find one, but the general message was questioning whether or not, maybe we as a gay community have done too good a job removing the stigma associated w HIV/AIDS. Well, he expresses it brilliantly and far better than I'm able.

For the record:

*HIV is not fun.

*My meds cost in excess of 3000.00 per month.

*The amount of Federal tax dollars expended to pay for HIV meds and healthcare for people who lack the Health Insurance (mine included) is astronomical. In 2007 the Federal Government will spend 13.2 Billion on HIV/AIDS care. (http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/7582_03.pdf)

{
HIV/AIDS

In the quarter century since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, more than 65 million people worldwide have become infected, including more than 25 million who have already died. In the U.S., there are now more than one million people currently estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is on track to be one of the worst epidemics in history, with millions more estimated to become infected by the end of this decade alone, if more is not done. Multiple challenges remain in the areas of prevention, care and treatment, research, infrastructure and capacity development, and funding. As such, the HIV/AIDS epidemic presents numerous political, economic, social, and scientific challenges to the United States and nations throughout the world.
} http://www.kff.org/hivaids/index.cfm

*These meds while keeping HIV in check, put a tremendous strain on my liver, kidneys, heart and body as a whole. Eventually one or more of several conditions starting with 'lipo' and ending with 'dystrophy' and 'atrophy' and one or two more I can't pronounce or recall, will cause the fat in my body to redistribute. This causes things like big shoulder sometimes referred to as 'camel humps' and the deep creases in the cheeks where the fat deposits used to be and skinny extremities with a round trunk. (folks, I aint' pretty, but I'd like to hang on to what I've got)

*The conversation that must take place before being intimate is not exactly an aphrodisiac!

*HIV meds reek havoc on the digestive system. Can you say "SHART"?

*I'm asked: "how did you get it" at least once a month. FROM A FUCKING TOILET SEAT YOU MORON! EVERYONE KNOWS THAT'S HOW YOU GET IT.

HIV/AIDS is a terminal, aggressive, chronic, incurable illness! It's also completely preventable. Please prevent yourself from becoming infected.

Having said all of this, I would be remiss if I did not express how grateful I am to be alive and well. To have an extraordinary team of medical professionals deeply concerned for my health and welfare who treat me with compassion, kindness, respect and love. To have access to the pharmaceuticals that keep me alive and healthy. I'm eternally grateful for a supportive and loving circle of family and friends.

What am I becoming?

2007-11-15T11:21:34Z

I think I'm a late blooming bit head! My laptop OS is Abuntu. You can't imagine my glee having discovered the terminal window and a command line. Free at last, Free at last. And I don't have intel inside!!

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

ENOUGH!!!!! I say

2007-11-15T10:37:12Z

with this miserable & infernal rain..........................for the love of Sordid Lives........give me a break!!!!!!

Daddy just got stabbed!!!!!

2007-11-13T01:13:48Z

So It's American Education Week. My 11 year old has informed me. Her Grandmother spent a few hours at school today, Mom will do so on Thursday.

I was not asked/invited.

I'm disappointed.

I did not tell my 11 year old how I felt. To do so would have required some tact. I was not up to it.

I will entertain my co-workers. It will make me laugh. It's how I've always deflected pain.

It's not just this one instance, there's a long history, I'm gay, I'm divorced, I'm HIV positive, I've struggled with addiction. There have been times when I've not earned my title. Does this mean I should be denied the chance to earn it now? It seems so.

I want to scream like Sally Field in Steel Magnolias and I want to punch somebody till they feel this. I hate this.

Breakfast w/ my 2nd Vice Hag

2007-11-07T22:00:50Z

Ain't she cute?

kitchen lens

2007-11-05T03:52:30Z

"Good"

2007-10-27T21:36:28Z

Even when it was good, it wasn't that good. "Good" never lasted long enough that I thought it would stay. Never.

I went out tonight. I wanted to get laid. An old fashioned pick up at the bar. I flirted. I tried. I even whipped out charm. I fought every urge to stay in my petrified shell. All my might I tell ya. Yet alone I left.

I feel shallow, I wonder, does the ugly I sometimes feel on the inside show thru to the outside? Am I not nearly as comfortable in my own skin as I'd care to believe? I can't blame HIV. One can't see it.

So I sit, feeling miserable, insecure and alone wondering, is that why he's lost interest?

Earlier, just as I was making my escape from foiled plans, dignity in tact (or was it), there she was, the Damsel in distress all alone, clearly FUBAR. My gut said "RUN". My brain had other plans.

me: "honey are ya ok"

damsel: "no" (shakes head vigorously from side to side)

me: "oww baby, are those your friends in there? you're just waiting for them to come out right?"

damsel:"uh huh"

me: "oh baby ur just having a rough night, ur gonna be ok. ok, i think i'll just let ya be here.

damsel: " I love you"

my gut: " I SAID RUN YOU GOD DAMN DUMB ASS MOTHER FUCKER"

and then while attempting to comfort and protect a damsel in distress , I was mauled. yes mauled and sobbed on while i was leaving the brownstone, where I'd gone guns blazin with quite different intentions.

If Harrisburg has a 'D' List, I'm on it.

so there it is, reality blogging, what i'm really thinking.

my heart is on my sleave, and this feels very much like getting picked last for dodge ball in 4th grade gym.

Only in the 'information age'

2007-10-27T02:24:21Z

Whilst perusing my gmail:

www.positivecruise.com coupled with the phrase(s): 'cheap" & 'last minute cancellation. This was in an email with a post to a Baltimore area yahoo poz group.

So I read the email and I'm thinking:

cheap, cheap is good

gay, gay is good

poz. interesting i didn't know we were cruising in groups

cheap. gay. poz. cruise. there's no way i can walk away from that set up w/o gettin laid

Imagine my horror when i read 'Grand Cayman' and 'Carnival Cruise Lines'!

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000002/000242.htm

Grand Cayman sez 'well, it wasn't that you were gay the made us keep you out, it was the way you behaved last time we let you in' loosely quoted, click the above link for verbatim..

I'm thinking

oh lord, what did we do?

did we rape their women? (oops wrong stereotype/lie/urbanlegend)

i know, we all went pedo and molested all the children

then we turned all their men gay

NO MY FRIENDS, WE HELD HANDS AND KISSED.

Dear Paul,

I received an email through a 'poz' yahoo group that I belong to in the Baltimore area, with the news that there were some last minute cancellations w/ a reasonable price tag. I was really excited, at first. How shocked and disappointed I was to see 'Grand Cayman' on the list of stops and then the other shocker, "CARNIVAL" ( i did the gay gasp ). I'm thinking isn't Grand Cayman the Island that once refused a gay cruise? I was not completely confident of my recollection of it so I Googled it.

Please reference: http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000002/000242.htm

Paul, Honey, the people of Grand Cayman have re-stated their policy of discrimination, but it still sounds a bit too much like "Don't ask don't tell". We can't hold hands or kiss in public on 'christian' Grand Cayman? Does this really sound like someplace I want to vacation, or worse spend my money?

To say that I'm horrified that a gay, poz cruise is stopping at such a place, would be the understatement of the century. That the cruise is on my least favorite cruise line does not help matters.

Paul, if by some odd chance, a group of gay poz guys decided to use a heterosexual male travel agent, then none of this makes any sense to you. You're thinking I'm a bit daft. Don't worry, find a gay man, or maybe one of the ladies in the office, they'll explain everything. If you are gay, and believe me the only thing worse than the fact that this gay poz cruise is stopping off at Grand Cayman on Carnival Cruise lines, would be that they'd booked it with a str8 guy, then surely you understand my amazement that the 220 gay men that are going have managed make that decision.

Do write and let me know.

Regards,

Gay, Poz Rob

Hell no, I'm not going to Grand Cayman!

My inner Martha is stirring!

2007-10-12T08:30:36Z

I'm a Knitter. I find the rhythm comforting and in some ways therapeutic, however at time I'm frustrated by the cost. Often, knitting something is far more expensive than buying it at the store. I like to think that I'm thrifty, and if I'm supplying the labor, the project had better be especially thrifty. Utility and practicality are huge as well, really how many scarves does one need. So I'm settling into my new apartment and finding that while I really like the hardwood floors, some sort of floor covering is really needed for sound and warmth. I've been thinking about the woven and braided rag rugs that were in everyone's kitchen in my neighborhood. All this is leading up to my thoughts on somehow recycling clothing into a rug. Google to the rescue and finally I'm seeing the light about what motivates people to blog!!!!!!!!

TADA! I'm going to cut up old t-shirts and knit them into rugs...............a link below the persons blog entry, whose project struck me fancy:

http://jessicool.blogspot.com/2007/04/want-to-know-how-to-knit-rug-out-of-t.html
( i know i should do some fancy link thing, I'm not feeling that patient, at 4 A.M., 13 hours into a 16 or so hour shift ) post post script: it does it all by itself, bloody fucking brilliant

SOOOOOOOOOOO I need t-shirts, anything but white. I"m also thinking that the Salvation Army on Trindle RD has gads and gads of tshirts and their even separated by color. (i don't mind spending a little, it's still recycling).

I can't be the only crafty bitch in touch with his/her inner Martha???? give me some ideas!!!

Cheers.

Two thoughts for the day:

1. ok well one is so disgusting and egotistical that I can't even type it. but i'm feeling good today

2. is that I've determined that I have a finite amount of self restraint and toward the end of a frustrating day or week, I find that once I've used it all up, it's kinda like no holds barred, filter off, from the brain to the lips. I've been running out of my seemingly finite restraint at some very inopportune moments. So I need a staff like say.....Kathy Griffin, and one of my staffers will be responsible for monitoring my daily use of restraint (they'll have to know me well to pick up on the subtle Q's that give me away when I'm DYING too tell somebody what I'm really thinking about what they're saying ) so they'll sort of let me know when I'm getting close to having used up my ration of self restraint for a day or week. Quantifying all of this well be a challenge.

have i mentioned that it's 4AM and i'm at work............auntie M!!!!!!!

81 Words

2007-09-25T01:06:02Z

The story of how the American Psychiatric Association decided in 1973 that homosexuality was no longer a mental illness.

http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=204

been around the block.....

2007-09-24T04:43:49Z

This one has stuck in my head for a long time :).........I pulled it from the recesses of my brain, because suddenly I have the urge to dance with a man to this song. I have one in mind. :)...........just thought I'd share.......

who's feeling plucky?

Sunday Evening Philosophical Lessons

2007-09-24T04:32:16Z

Chinese take-out: 15.00
the gas to get there: "no idea"
The fact that you have to beg and plead for chopsticks, while they stuff 18 fortune cookies in the bag for 3 people: PRICELESS!! or so I thought, then i read the fortunes

"It's one of those lo-key days that you'd rather spend just chilling."

"What are you waiting for? Start moving now."

"Today you should be a passenger. Stay close to a driver for a day."

"You try, you fail. You fail, you try. So where is success?"

and last but not least, wait for it!!!!

"Q. Where do you find a one legged dog?
A. Right where you left it"

For those as intensely curious as I, These pearls of wisdom are brought to us by the 'Wonton Foods' company of Brooklyn NY.