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WTF? I'm thoroughly confused! I haven't exchanged a word with Jacob in years! I have no idea where this is coming from. Bazaar!!! However, I'll attempt a reply at what I can only assume ws some kind of drunken rant. Firstly, I don't distinguish between Queer and Gay people. Or Lesbian, Bisexual and Transexual people. We're lumped into one group for a reason. Because we're all discriminated for our sexual identities. They're all my family in this fight. They all deserve the same respect as our heterosexual counterparts. Secondly, I have no memory of you ever coming out to me. That's not to say it never happened, but unlike many, I'm not at all shocked when I hear that someone is coming out as LGBTQ+. So it doesn't leave a real impression or memory. Especially if it's someone I have very little contact with on a day to day basis. When I came out on this forum in 2010 I believe, I had a few members private message me to tell me of their LGBTQ+ status. I did not share those revelations with this forum, because that's not my place to do so. Nor did I have any desire to do so. I felt honored that they'd want to share that with me, but if and when they choose to out themselves is their business and nobody else's. Jacob and I have never shared any kind of comradery on either forum. He was always standoffish to me, and I let that be. I remember the first time we met face to face. It was in 2010, Chicago Can Jam, just before I came out. I wanted to meet everyone I could face to face before coming out, because I wanted them to meet Steve, not 'the gay guy', if that makes sense to you? Anyway, the day I arrived in Chicago and met several people, a group of a dozen or so of us decided to get some lunch at a local restaurant. Jacob was one of those people. At some point during lunch Jacob announced "hey, you seem like a nice guy. I really expected you to be a complete asshole". Noone really said anything to that. Including myself. How do you answer a statement like that? Especially when it's stated in a public setting? For me that kind of set the tone for our relationship, or lack there of. While I've never put any member on ignore, I pretty much just skipped over his posts. Then came the giant explosion, where Jacob deleted most of the forum, by accident or on purpose. Again, I assumed alcohol related. I had a lot of back content lost forever. Posts and pictures of building things. My turntable, headphone stands etc... pictures that I had no other backup for. And yes, it pissed me off. But we move on. Then when Jacob reappeared I continued to pretty much ignore him. I have no idea of the events in his life. I couldn't tell you anything about him. I've had no contact of any kind in many years. And I've been more than OK with that. I've not encouraged or discouraged other members from interacting with him. In short, I really just haven't thought much about him in any way. Maybe that's the source of his anger? Maybe not? Honestly I don't really care. However, suddenly accusing me of some kind of prejudice against Queer vs. Gay is just silly. It doesn't really deserve a response, but I guess I chose to do so at any rate. Now I'll go back to ignoring Jacob. That's what works best for me.

Is my wedding day so I feel like I can finally finally wear my wedding watch.

Jacob is acting like a cunt no matter what sexual orientation he wants to claim. And I don't believe for one second that he came out to Steve except in his twisted imagination. I don't know why he was let back onto the forum after blowing up half of the content but he'll stay on ignore as far as I'm concerned. I won't see any reply from him so I won't be as gracious as Steve and try to respond to him.

I am very surprised to see the hostility. Steve is one of the kindest people I’ve met.

Wait, is July Hate Month?

Steve, Thank you for sharing a little more of your story! I very much appreciate it. As for canjam chicago 2010, I’m glad you brought that up as that was the first time (and maybe only time?) I’ve met you in person and you were and are absolutely wonderful. You may recall I believe we had lunch at Giordano’s with my wife and I just think you are awesome. That is all

June is gay pride month. I remember my first time marching in a gay pride parade. It was 1984 and I was 23 years old. It was in Anchorage, Alaska. I had just recently come out to my family, and I was finally ready to overcome my embarrassment and stand with my friends in a public setting. It was absolutely a milestone for me after years of shame. During our march a protest group from the Anchorage Babtist Temple decided that they could not let a group of LGBTQ people come across as normal, and allow us a peaceful march. I was personally spit on and damned to hell by a very Motherly looking woman in her 40s. A few people were actually slapped and punched. The police were called to the scene, but did nothing at all. Instead of having the effect they had hoped for, it just cemented our will. That event more than any other started my personal quest for equal rights. About that same time period, Ronald Reagan's stance on AIDS activated my interest in politics. While I don't really think of myself as an activist, I do believe in being out, open and taking a stand. I try to encourage others to do the same. I also remember a night at the gay dance club " The Village", when a group of gay bashers came in to wreak havoc. That didn't work out how they had planned, as they were vastly outnumbered. I'm sure they expected a group of "nelly" little queens to cower at their feet. But what actually happened was that they were outnumbered by about 5 to 1, beaten and ran out of the club. Cops were called, but again did nothing, even though a license plate was observed and given. Later I moved to Texas. In Texas I first lived in a town called Tyler. I moved there with two friends. In Tyler the rental properties are mostly managed by a few companies. We tried to find an apartment, and even though we all had good credit, could afford first and last months rent and so on, we kept being denied. I couldn't understand why. After about a week of trying multiple places with no luck, we happened to be at WalMart shopping. I noticed two obviously gay guys, went over and introduced myself, then told them about our plight. They told me about an untold rental policy against gay men, where 3 or more men would not be rented an apartment together. They told us that you have to act straight and apply with only one other male. I was a bit dumbfounded at that. After that we went another route and looked at renting houses from private owners. We found a place in one day. 3 years later I moved to Port Aransas, TX, to help my Mom with her storage business. In lovely Port Aransas I encountered sub contractors that would not work on site unless I left the jobsite. I actually put up with that for several years, then realizing that I was the main reason why the business was successful, I just declined to leave the jobsite. The subcontractor could either stop being a bigot and do his job with me there, or a new subcontractor could be hired. He chose to keep making money off of us, but still tried to be an intimidating prick. It didn't work. I guess I'm spouting all of this because a recent post about parents going to gay pride with their child really got me thinking. Thinking how things have changed so much over the years, at least in California. I doubt things will change in small town Texas anytime soon. I thought about how I had been embraced at my job for being a great carpenter, and treated as a valued co-worker by the crew and subs. I thought about how I hadn't heard the word "faggot" in 6 1/2 years. I thought about having a straight best friend that is completely unaffected by my homosexuality. I thought about the many LGBTQ people around me living their lives around other people that are almost oblivious to any difference. Not long after moving to Texas, I was doing some remodel work for an Aunt. One day off the top of her head she just said to me, "I don't mind gay people, I just don't like it when they flaunt it in my face". I had no idea what to say to that, so I said nothing. Maybe a day or two later she said, "at least you're not one of those militant gays". At that point I popped off with a sarcastic."yeah, I hate those, they're almost as bad as militant Black people". Expecting a shocked silence from her, I was instead bombarded with a tirade of agreement, only she didn't use the term Black people. She actually though I was being serious. I re-evaluated my need for money over my need for respect, and left that day, job unfinished. I haven't spoken a word to that Aunt since. Today I'm considering semi retirement, and evaluating where I can afford to live vs. where I want to live. I'm having a hard time imagining going back to that mindset. I would honestly rather struggle financially than mentally. Sometimes we forget how good things have gotten compared to how things had been previously. My mental health and sense of self worth, while not perfect, is better than it's ever been. I just want to recognize that. I want to thank all of you for being a part of that for me. And I want to hear what you think about gay pride and what, if any effect it's had on you or your loved ones?

Oh man, haven't listened to that in many a year. But what the fuck is Irondreamer doing in there? Maybe Peter has a doppelganger?

Aerosmith by Aerosmith (1973) https://album.link/i/1658644936 Example: I have to admit that I didn't have 1973 in mind when I thought of their first album, and I also have to admit that I didn't know that 'Dream on' was from their first album as well. Growing up they were just always here, so I never really thought about their origins, and how long they had been around. When I started buying albums in the 80s, I thought of them as a classic rock band in the 80s. I didn't say I was very smart, then or now. Great Album? no, good album with a few great songs. Also Get Your Wings by Aerosmith (1974) https://album.link/i/1658645027 Example: Again 1974 just seems crazy to me for this album and tunes. Also not a great album for me, but good with some great songs, and better than their first album. I think that listening to the radio growing up gave me a distorted sense of time, and I don't think MTV helped. Permanent Vacation seemed like a new Album from a newish band. Again, not so bright.

^^ X2. Congrats on your wedding Jacob.....and you absolutely DO count! But please try and get rid of the anger. If you and Steve don't get along, it's between you two.

Had my “bachelor party.” Was mostly wine and queer theory. Gonna get married today.

How many bottles before you walk the dinosaur ? 🦖 🦕 🦖

Actually, I first want to express my deep gratitude for the complete acceptance that I have received from this very fine group of people! I joined this forum of beautiful people at a time in my life where I was again facing idiotic mindsets and manurisms from those around me, especially at my workplace. And this place, and you people were my respite from the ignorance of those that I dealt with at the time.

I think I would have used the term didactic cuntery just because it sounds more descriptive, but that is me.

Thank you Ryan. I remember that lunch well. You and your wife left a lasting impression. Your work with children I find very admirable! We haven't met in person since then, but I do now and will continue to think of you as a friend.

If you have a personal issue with Steve I'd rather you picked up a phone, Jacob. He has been an ally and friend to many people here for years, it feels petty to libel him. Congratulations on coming out, I wish you a happy and fulfilling marriage.

Congratulations. Best wishes, Jacob.

What does “gay pride mean to me?” You didn’t have shit to say to me when I came out to you. So maybe shut the fuck up. Hypocritical scumbag sack of shit.

Is this queer enough for you for you to have me be queer enough for Pride? She’s my best friend. How many assholes do I gotta fuck and how many marches do I have to go on before it’s not “Gay Pride?” Do you have a fucking answer on that one, or would you prefer I don’t exist?

It’s not “gay pride” to me. But I’m newly queer. I’m a man who has sex with men. I only came out recently. I took my soon to be step son to Pride this last weekend. I went to a “bachelor party” this last night and had people like this. But it wasn’t “gay pride.” I’m not “gay.” I am queer though. Do I count? Do we? We don’t care if you don’t think we do. We are here. And we are queer. We fucking count. I’m sorry I’m not queer enough for you, Steve.

Damn. Took a wrong turn.

Standby. Working on answer.

One bottle in. Dinosaur Jr. activated.

No, I've got some flamed tops, too. (rimshot)

He's a bear that wears a hat and talks. What's confusing about that? 😋 As far as I'm concerned, movies about talking bears are a dime a dozen.

Watched the first two episodes of The Bear Part III and I'm in love all over again. Quite the yin and yang pair of episodes.

Listened to Lenny White's first two albums. Lots of talent and creativity. A ton of funk. I should of liked them more than I did. I may have to try again another time. Now listening to Scofield. This satisfies.

I will definitely check it out. I've heard it before but only once and quite awhile ago. Thanks.

I'm almost done with season 1 of The Bear. Couldn't agree more, love it.

I came here to complain about the ridiculousness of True Detective: Dark Country, but then saw the season three premiere of The Bear and it's all beautiful and me smiling. Best show on TV.

Aphex Twin - I Care Because You Do

In wonderful irony, the awful Anita Bryant's granddaughter in 2021 "...Sarah Green, came out publicly on an episode of Slate's One Year podcast series by announcing her pending marriage to a woman, although she was having difficulty deciding whether she should invite her grandmother to the ceremony."

Production CFA3 enclosure arrived yesterday 😃 I told the machine shop to not bead blast the heatsink mounting side, just leave it mill finished. They must have thought I meant to mill it after anodizing. I can't figure out if it's a win or not but it's different?

Love a Tank, I actually bought one recently (Must Solarbeat) "for my partner" and definitely not because I wanted to "borrow" it "occasionally". A couple of other random pics from the collection while I am here. First, the current daily driver. Love it. Been on a bracelet recently though. I'll save the bracelet look for a future post. And then there is my baby. Action shot. And yes, for reference my wrists are SUPER tiny. That Oris is a blessing as a 36mm dive watch.