Bear rescues bear from drowning. Scroll down and click on the video for woofy footage of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist Adam Warwick after the word from the sponsors. Note to urban Bears: do not try this at home just because you think you look like that biologist. And you are not one with another species by virtue of title nor are you a strong black woman. Or Suzanne Sugarbaker.
(Photo provided to FWC courtesy of Becky Bickerstaff)
Deliberate hookworm infestation study may one day lead to allergy relief.
Furry varmint causes levee break in Missouri.
Bio-inspired sensor based on mayfly nymph gill plates to one day replace the proverbial canary in a coal mine. University of Maryland research, fyi.
The avian evolutionary tree has just been shook up: mitochondrial DNA research discovers much of how we classify birds is wrong. Parrots share a more common ancestor with songbirds; as do falcons, no longer putting them together with hawks. And hummingbirds are more closely related to nighthawks than previously thought.
All the Joss Whedon cultists are in a tizzy, as there is a new show coming out on FOX in January entitled "Dollhouse" featuring Eliza Dushku and Battlestar Galactica's Tahmoh Penikett.
Kylie Minogue knighted with Order of the British Empire (OBE) honor from Prince Charles.
Bulletproof couture for the fall 2008 DC runway and shooting range.
Me and Aaron at Blowoff in NYC, June 28, 2008. Photo by JoeMyGod_NYC.
And those are real rosy cheeks, not botox, you wretched bitches...
Here's how I feel about that:
Just kidding. Seriously, I had a fun time up 95 with the boys, even though they hauled me across Manhattan each day like an American soldier through the streets of Mogadishu.
Blowoff was a hoot again, and they seem to be dying for a different kind of music and enjoyed the set. Saw lotsa bloggers and people I hadn't met yet.
On Sunday we went to a fun party, then to the Pride Parade only to get rained on. I took refuge in a lesbian bar where they only drank watered down margarita mixes. They seemed unhappy about that. But my hair gel stood firm despite the humidity, and we trekked on to another fabulous party. By that time I was all partied out and knew I couldn't make it to SuperSnaxx, so I met up with Gurl and a friend and saw Wall-E instead. It was a cute movie. I liked Wall-E's loyal and indestructible cockroach sidekick.
Pop quiz: how many bears are in this image?
It's Jimbo's Friday git 'er done edition, now with the right to own a handgun! I have mixed feelings about guns - they kill things, they're heavy, and they need lots of cleaning. On the other hand, there are moments here in Shaw where I'd feel more secure with one. And everyone here has one anyway.
Seriously though, without the opportunity to practice at a shooting range once in a while, I think I'd be more proficient with my +2 serrated gardening knife than a gun in a fix. Beware the wrath of the angry gardener!
For all you gay Narnia fans: hot Old Spice centaur commercial (SFW if you can hide your stiffy):
I finally caught the mid-season finale of Battlestar Galactica. I hear we must wait until spring 2009 for the final episodes!? Are they trying to kill me with the suspense?
OMG I was quoted in an article about the rugby trip to Ireland in MetroWeekly!
Pimpin' 'hos at the DuPont Circle MetroRail Station. Some cities have a red light district, we have the Red Line in The District.
I thought this article about the Gill Action Fund was very interesting. And long!
Today I went to my former workplace to have lunch with a few of my more beloved coworkers. Wishing to avoid certain coworkers who would cause me to feel discomfort, I was careful to take the stealth route to my friend's office. But as fate would have it, the fire alarm went off ('cuz I'm so hot) and everybody had to evacuate out the same door. When I came out of the building I was right smack dab in the middle of those former coworkers I wished to avoid and was forced to engage in civil small talk. Good times.
This weekend I'm staying at Rex and Xanthos' house to engage in NYC Pride, Blowoff and possibly SuperSnaxx if I can handle that much woof in one weekend. I'll take pictures - and hairball medicine in advance.
Volunteering at the water polo matches on Saturday was fun, and there are still a few members playing who were part of the Wetskins back when I played with them in 1999. I caught up with one volunteer who was with me in Peace Corps as well, and it was good to catch up. I was surprised at how much I had forgotten about the sport, but I guess it has been 8 years or so.
I think the post-vacation blues definitely set in last week when I got back, and linger on today. I saw a lot of neat things and met some wonderful people, but it's back to the grind here in DC. I wish I could travel more.
But Mari spiced things up a bit on Saturday with her classic Mojitos and Tater Tots party. Somehow, the two went together. I recommend a mojito and tater tot party for any occasion. It was good to hang out and meet some of the neighbors.
And spicing things up even more were the six gunshots we heard on the block at about 11:30pm Sunday night. I was actually nestled into bed for a change at that hour, and got quite the start. Apparently Skwurl saw a red or maroon car speed away after the shots rang out. I don't know if any property or people were targeted, but there has been increased police presence on the block since Friday, particularly at a certain property on Q closer to 5th Street. Nothing but trouble from that address. Anyway, as the 4th of July approaches, it's not uncommon to hear fireworks on the street, but those were definitely the sharp ring of gunshots.
Job prospects have slowed now that summer has kicked in. Anyone who can take vacation time in DC does so, and in some places not a lot happens between June and August. No word from that interview a few weeks ago, but government jobs are slow to act, so we'll see. Job leads are always appreciated!
Happy Solstice, duuudes.
Today I'm off to Takoma to volunteer at the big gay international aquatics tournament hosted by my former team the Washington Wetskins water polo team.
I tried water polo many years ago but defected to rugby after discovering I just don't have the long limbs to compete with other water polo players. Swimming and diving is fun, but I'm more of a land-based athlete.
In other gay news, Gurl informed me that Norway is now the sixth country to permit gay marriage. Sadly, Norway's Crown Prince Haakon is taken.
We love the Swedes too, especially Robyn, who can put out some fierce reggae rhymes. And my most cherished Swedish wish has been granted: Ace of Base has returned!
It's a beautiful life:
And from the genius who brought us the The Buffy The Vampire Slayer Sing Along, the Xanadu sing-a-long (with audience participation) will be held on Friday & Saturday, July 11 & 12 @ midnight at the IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue in New York City. Your neon lights will shine...
Congrats to MetroWeekly's woofy co-founder and contributor Seann Bugg for being a Capital Pride Hero.
The pic at left was taken this Tuesday, by then I was all beat up and sunburnt from the tournament. I was led to believe that Ireland was all cloudy and gloomy, but that was not the case. My tours of the countryside before and after the tournament were relatively free of rain, and I was told by the locals that I totally lucked out on the weather.
Here's a wee Leprechaun I met on the trip who took me on a tour of the lakes and highlands just outside of Dublin:
When I arrived in Ireland I immediately travelled to the Aran Isles to take in the sights. Some of the team had arrived at the tournament site by then as well, and some people wondered where I was: "Where's Jimbo?" To which some sharp-tounged queen responded, "Oh, he's in The Shire practicing his Elvish."
It was indeed like The Shire over in the western half of the island. Did you know they even surf there? Who knew? After meeting some locals and asking about visiting other places steeped in ancient history, I was told I'd already been to the right places, including seeing the ruins of Castle O'Brien and an ancient stone age fort on the edge of spectacular 300' cliffs. I have seen a lot, but Ireland offers so much more. I spent most of my economic stimulus check in Ireland, not exactly what our President had in mind for the money.
Here's St. Kevin's Church in Glendalough. These days you don't need a catapult to storm the castle tower:
The level of play of gay rugby teams from around the world has improved considerably since the first international gay rugby tournament was held in DC. Sydney's play was spectacular, and they won the tournament. My B-side also played Seattle, Chicago and Phoenix. All of us played several matches each day, and it was a test of endurance and constitution by the end of it. Luckily I emerged only with scrapes and bruises. By Sunday the San Francisco Fog B-side needed some extra players, and I was fortunate to play with them as flanker for half of a match.
On Monday I went out on the town with some of the Dublin Emerald Warriors and we danced until 3am. Best. Monday. Night. In. Dublin. Ever. It didn't hurt that the DJ played almost half a dozen Kylie Minogue songs, and I even met the pocket Bear from Bear Force One, who were in Dublin for a performance.
It was a great vacation and I highly recommend a visit. I didn't take any photos during the rugby matches, but I hope to get some from the tournament soon from friends who did take pictures. A full set of the rest of the photos can be viewed here.
