Artist new to me that I enjoy...Alexander Rybak

This guy is so damned cute! Does anyone know...does he always smile like that? He made me smile just watching him. He's got that aw-shucks thing happening. So very cute!

I'm just a dreamer....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJqswLi3uE&feature=list_related&a=GxdCwVVULXdOclIVKi-QSGfPD9HPJsTs&list=ML&playnext=1

Rainbow Connection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deebKNI-dTE&ob=av2n

picture time....found out in the net

I don't know if this first one is photoshopped, but it is just way too cute for words.

Please, don't goose the eagles....

"Hang in there..." seems an obvious title

Shameless

Ending with cute, as it began...

Twelve lines of love...

This isn't publishing very large. Feel free to copy it and blow it up,

or simply double click to get it to its own window.

with love; randy.

The Color Purple- copied from Miles' site and Scotties. Pass it on.

Purple for Spirit T., a blogger, wrote: ‘Recently I read of 9 teen boys who committed suicide after being bullied constantly by homophobes. Here are the names of all the teens copied: Billy Lucas (15) September 9, 2010. Indiana Cody J. Barker (17) September 13, 2010. Wisconsin Seth Walsh (13) September 19, 2010. California Tyler Clementi (18) September 22, 2010. New Jersey Asher Brown (13) September 23, 2010. Texas Harrison Chase Brown (15) September, 25 2010. Colorado (No detailed information about his death) Raymond Chase (19) September 29, 2010. Rhode Island Felix Sacco (17) September 29, 2010. Massachusetts Caleb Nolt (14) September 30, 2010. Indiana Click on any of the names to read more about these poor innocent people. Some you may have already known about. http://boytortoise.blogspot.com/2010/10/purple-for-spirit.html to do so. T.continued: I had read that someone is starting a sort of event on October 20th to remember those who have committed suicide after being bullied for their sexuality. On the PFLAG, the last color, purple, represents spirit. On October 20th we ask everyone to wear a purple shirt (or any garment of clothing) in spirit of those who couldn’t live the kind of life they deserved. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (I found no copyrights on these pics. in the Internet.) STOPP!

STOPP! Billy Lucas is the first one on the list above.

The return of eye-candy.

Hello friends;

Life has been awfully serious here lately, hasn't it? Well, there is only so much serious life I can handle. So, for something else to handle....well, you know....I hope you like the pictures.

Please keep your hands inside your vehicle at all times.

Isn't this just the cutest pic. I have it titled "shit-eating grin".

Friends in warm places...

All we need is love....

ah, to be young again..

Casual Friday at work....

Casual Thursday night at home...

That is so cute...young love

Take one cutie, dampen slightly...

I have got to start having my groceries brought to the car...

I always suspected. No-one wears that much spandex for nothing!

Just starting out....

Hello...

This is beautiful art. Joe looks good, too.

Great Friends!

Hello all; Two of the most beautiful people you will ever meet.... There came a time some months ago when I was searching the internet, beginning to learn more about myself and my likes and attractions.... in the search I found this little treasure of a place called Scotties Toybox. I read the posts, laughed at the pictures.... basically peaked in on a life I wish I could have, really. In the course of events I had the opportunity to leave a message for the author, and my life has been richer and so very much better ever since. Scottie and Ron have been there for me through fear, heartache and tear fogged typing fingers, smiles, laughter, hope and hopefully love. Thank you, my friends. Hugs, Love, - blue skies and songbirds- randy.

Sad news....the passing of a great soul

Oh, Wow! I am living in shock for the moment! I don't manage to make the rounds of blogs all that often, especially when I have company. They don't have quite the window to my soul that you all do...and though I would say they don't know, I wouldn't be surprised if they did. But, still I have a tendency to go to the blogs I like to check over and see how the young folks live and love, maybe learn something about once a week....and I wish I'd now paid more attention. We've lost a great soul, my friends. Please visit his blog and read further...my words are not of any value: http://timmystillwaiting.blogspot.com I am adding the poem his brother left for him, a tribute.... but please go to the site and see for yourself the wonderful characterization, read the blog and see the beautiful and funny soul. We will miss you, Timmy. Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

The funeral was lastnight...

Hi everyone...

I stole this pic from Scottie. It struck me as not only cute, but life affirming...and my friend loved dogs and yellow flowers, so appropriate as well.

It was good to see old friends again. Some of the people there I hadn't seen in years, and some I found I could go years without seeing again. But, we all came together, some driving across the country, to say goodbye to a special lady who touched so many lives. I was fortunate to be a part of her life, as tertiary as it was. It wasn't a sad group that got together. All of us were aware that she was not doing so well....just not quite how poorly she was doing. So, knowing that cancer is a painful way to die, I was glad for her to have escaped to Heaven. I wish I could have been there to hold her hand as she passed, but she died with her dog in her arms - a critter so beloved by her. It was, in all, a good night for us to say farewell old friend.

I did follow Scottie's advice and take the night off work. I called in at 2:00 to see if all was well, then went back to sleep. It felt good to sleep, with my pups curled up next to me. I don't think I've gotten much sleep in the past days and I guess I needed it.

Well, I've got to go....I have company staying with me for the next day or so. Be well, my friends. Hug your loved ones today; you never know when you will lose the opportunity.

-randy.

Sometimes Christians forget...

Many years ago I gave my soul to God. I read my Bible, I believe in Christ and his Divine origin and plan. It is often a topic of contention, so I try not to push it on anyone... and all too often I am not the best image for the cause. But, there is one thing I have learned, and it is best exemplified in this painting: every man of Christ can look on that painting and put his name and face there. And, for those who believe themselves now "sinless", go to the head of the line.

The title of this art is "Forgiven". For those who believe, it is uncomfortable at best. You see, those are my hands holding the hammer and spike. That is my color purple, believing myself royalty over someone else...and those are my jeans of the working stiff just trying to get through the day. In every glance you see a broken man, needing to be carried by Christ I can't even get my legs to hold me up. And yet, I hold on to the hammer and the spike. Darkness is all around me, yet there is Christ in glowing white light...

This and more is conveyed to the believer who looks upon this art. It carries the greatest decree art can carry: it encourages one to look upon his own life and question his motives, his actions, his way of thinking and behaving.

Am I here to condemn the non-believers? Nope...you all should know me better than that by now. No, I am here to condemn the believers who have forgotten; who have fallen into the trap of believing that they are standing so very tall as to look down.

Sometimes we forget, you see. We forget that there is more to believing and living for Christ than being a "moral superior". We become hypocrites and judge others in our assumption that we know what is right and proper. Well, even Jesus was criticized for his works by those believing themselves moral and upright, so I don't feel so out of company. I believe Jesus told some people about logs in their eyes when criticizing others about the tiny mote.

God is love. Let your heart love, and let no one tell you who you may love and who you may not. If you love that person, wanting the very best for them, holding them above your own needs and wants, cheering at their successes and holding them in their tears. If you give them sustenance and warmth, if you delight in the light of their eye...then you are walking with God.

I will send a simple warning to those who believe them selves the authority...ha! Jesus spoke very strongly about two things: those standing in the doorway not allowing others to pass, and those who would block 'the little one's' from coming to Him.

May you all have a wonderful day, my friends.

Hugs;

-randy.

please visit: http://blog.milkboys.org/article/almost-sorry/

A lesson learned this morning...

Today, a day that seemingly started well, I learned a lesson I should have already known. Today I learned how cliche's can be real, true, and visciously direct at times. I was a fool....ok, you already know that. What I mean, I was a fool to believe hopes over what I knew in my heart to be reality. A dear friend, a beautiful soul who loved me when my own family would not, who was my friend when I found there to be so few, a life I felt was sure to end in a few months but not right now....but not right now. Not so very soon! My friend and neighbor has passed on to be with her husband. I am somewhat in shock, lost, can't get my mind to work. I am glad I was able to speak with her on the phone yesterday, telling her how anxious I was to come visit When she was feeling better. I failed my friends, I failed. Please hear me now: Tomarrow isn't promised to any of us. Hug your friends and loved ones today. -randy.

A lesson from our youth...

In discussing recent events of prejudice and hatred, abusers, bullies, and the manner in which our society seems intent upon labeling people as lesser-than's, I recalled a beautiful memory; a lesson from my youth. I hope you like the clips....I wish I could have found the entire toon.

Miles asked "Who profits from prejudice? Who is behind the gay bashing, the abuse of our young people?" Isn't that a great question? I think there is a lesson to be learned from this above......

What do you think?

I have spoken to Miles and Scottie about this, and I know that there are others who feel the same....If you feel like you are being pushed beyond your limits, like life isn't worth living with the pain you feel right now, please remember that you are not alone. All of us have felt something similar to that and you are not alone! You are loved, needed, wanted, you are not alone. Write, let us know your pain and let us tell you...YOU ARE NOT ALONE! You, we! can get through anything, no matter how bad at the moment....life is beautiful, with moments of very ugly, scary, and weird veiws. No matter how bad, how embarassing, scary, or how much you feel like life isn't worth living.... it is only a rough spot on the road of this life and there are ways of getting through to the beautiful spots. Just hang on, reach out, and know...you are not alone! -randy.

Startled at Milkboys today...

Hello everyone... I stopped in at Milkboys today to see what was going on. I like that site... though it isn't quite designed for someone my age, it is geared to someone just learning about their sexuality and I guess I do fall into that role a bit. I was quite startled to read the following... and I hope you will go to Milkboys to read further(there is a link on this page): Homophobia Kills It is hardly surprising: If you keep refusing a minority basic rights, kids will grow up under the impression that members of said minority are somehow worth less than “normal” people, that it is ok to look down on them, to bully them. Realising this also means realising that you can’t just blame the bullies and their parents but that the government has the responsibility to make sure minorities have exactly the same rights as everyone else. The Unites States are further away from ensuring this than most other Western civilisations and the consequences are coming to light recently: •New Jersey: Gay student secretly taped having sex kills himself •Texas: 13-Year-Old shoots himself in the head over anti-gay bullying •California: Gay 13-Year-Old hangs self after reported bullying •Indiana: Teen’s suicide thought to be result of anti-gay bullying When growing up I hid my uncomfortable feelings for other boys because I was afraid of the reactions I would receive. I knew bullies, and being a big kid even did some myself...and of course it was because of the portions of my own life that I couldn't face. But, repression and depression and even a bit of regression hid a lot of my motivations for my actions and I just went on with life in a very non-living fashion. Now suddenly I'm faced with the fact that I've never really thought about this, but it's true isn't it? I've always thought about the classes here in America, but thought it just a matter of personal bias. But, parents - and society in general - does - assign status. In this country we have had a recent and ongoing debate on the "illegal immigrant" issue. The funny thing, I recently realized that I am the product of illegal immigrants. My family forebears came to this country through Canada and down into Minnisota. And, we Americans have had a fair run with "the lesser people".... the so-called Blacks (I say so-called because the "name" seems to change every generation or so" have been a very obvious recipient of this tag. Also, the Native Americans, in a very tragic manner. Then, there has also been the Irish, the Italians, Japanese, even the "hillbilly" and the "redneck" - and I would bet there has been a bounty of "lesser thans" in our history. For a "Land of the Free" we sure seem to like putting people into bondage! I am startled to be so slow to realize that the only way a decent person could do the indecent is by relegating someone to a lesser class; a lesser person. If they are a lesser person, they can have any indignity done and it's ok because they don't really matter as much. Right? That's just a downright scary and shameful practice. Scary because labels are often arbitrary and can be assigned at the whim of the mob. Shameful because I now have to sit down and examine my own "lofted status" over ..... well, that's the question isn't it? Who is lesser or greater than who? Foolishness runs deep and often silent, making its mark upon souls like a plague.