Yes, I was up at 5:26 a.m. this morning. And it wasn't particularly different from any other June-gloom sunrise in Los Angeles. Then, the tourists slowly began to appear in our woods near Athens...
On Andy Towleroad's site, there was a link to Uncle Donald's Castro Street, which brought back many pleasant memories of (dare I say it?) the last century when I was but a wee lad running amok in the Castro. Ah, but what golden days in hindsight they seem to have been! I've also added a long overdue link to the Bay Area's GLBT Historical Society, which features an exhibition of photography by Rick Gerharter.
Perhaps on a day as nice as this, one ought not spend too much time looking backwards; yet I'm fortunate enough to be able to put this Midsummer in the context of (more than I want to count) Midsummer's days of yore.
'Tis a heck of a lot more pleasant than stewing at the Presbyterians hemming and hawing over gay priests. Don't think I don't know my history: first the right wing will do everything they can to define marriage as between "one man and one woman," then they'll slowly work on overturning Loving vs Virginia. Before you know it, no one will be able to get married or even cross the MacArthur Causeway or the Bay Bridge until they can first get an audience with the all powerful Wizard of Oz.
I best get to the beach whilst I still can to enjoy the day. Before I bid you one and all good day, I want to add a note about Margie Reese, who very quietly announced her departure from LA's Cultural Affairs Department.
There will always be those individuals who will never get a fraction of the praise they deserve. If Drew's celebration of life reminded me of one thing, it's to honor individuals while they're still around to get it. Most Angelenos have not idea what a debt they owe to Margie Reese, who was for the past five years the general manager of Cultural Affairs. If not for her resolve and determination, Cultural Affairs Department would have been dissolved during the struggle to balance the city's budget. Reese was the person responsible for some of the most iconic landmarks in Los Angeles, including the Watts Towers and the Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House. As with Adolfo Nodal before her, the task of safeguarding the cultural heritage of Los Angeles is best left in the hands of those who have a true appreciation and understanding of what it means to be a public servant. Folks like Adolfo or Margie are few and far in between amid the sea of bureaucrats in government. We can only wish her well, and cross our fingers that whoever eventually replaces her has the same comprehension of a sense of duty and vision.
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
And as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call.
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
On Andy Towleroad's site, there was a link to Uncle Donald's Castro Street, which brought back many pleasant memories of (dare I say it?) the last century when I was but a wee lad running amok in the Castro. Ah, but what golden days in hindsight they seem to have been! I've also added a long overdue link to the Bay Area's GLBT Historical Society, which features an exhibition of photography by Rick Gerharter.
Perhaps on a day as nice as this, one ought not spend too much time looking backwards; yet I'm fortunate enough to be able to put this Midsummer in the context of (more than I want to count) Midsummer's days of yore.
'Tis a heck of a lot more pleasant than stewing at the Presbyterians hemming and hawing over gay priests. Don't think I don't know my history: first the right wing will do everything they can to define marriage as between "one man and one woman," then they'll slowly work on overturning Loving vs Virginia. Before you know it, no one will be able to get married or even cross the MacArthur Causeway or the Bay Bridge until they can first get an audience with the all powerful Wizard of Oz.
I best get to the beach whilst I still can to enjoy the day. Before I bid you one and all good day, I want to add a note about Margie Reese, who very quietly announced her departure from LA's Cultural Affairs Department.
There will always be those individuals who will never get a fraction of the praise they deserve. If Drew's celebration of life reminded me of one thing, it's to honor individuals while they're still around to get it. Most Angelenos have not idea what a debt they owe to Margie Reese, who was for the past five years the general manager of Cultural Affairs. If not for her resolve and determination, Cultural Affairs Department would have been dissolved during the struggle to balance the city's budget. Reese was the person responsible for some of the most iconic landmarks in Los Angeles, including the Watts Towers and the Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House. As with Adolfo Nodal before her, the task of safeguarding the cultural heritage of Los Angeles is best left in the hands of those who have a true appreciation and understanding of what it means to be a public servant. Folks like Adolfo or Margie are few and far in between amid the sea of bureaucrats in government. We can only wish her well, and cross our fingers that whoever eventually replaces her has the same comprehension of a sense of duty and vision.
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
And as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call.
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
No comments:
Post a Comment