874

Last night, I just happened to check my stats for the blog and was shocked by what I saw. The most hits I’d ever received was on January 11, 2009 with a total of 592 hits. Those 592 hits were caused by a spambot that had attacked my server (or so I’ve been told by WordPress.) The most looked at post on that day was “Mormon Calendar Boys” (a post about 12 Mormon Missionaries baring most for a calendar…scandalious).

Recently, I had a real record day with 163 hits. I was proud of that! Last night, I had 459 hits. Those are actual views to my blog…not a spambot! The most looked at post: “Weekly Woof – Olympics Edition Vol. 2- August 4, 2012” with 331 views. The most searched terms being: “Ryan Bailey.” That’s awesome!

Today, as of this very moment…we’ve had 415 views…just today. With total views being 874, I’m humbled and excited!

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

Of course, it turns out…there’s two yummy Ryan Baileys for USA in the Olympics…and I wanted to share the other one with you now.

Enjoy!

Weekly Woof – Olympics Edition Vol. 2- August 4, 2012

Well, I’ve had a crap-ton of hits to my post “Weekly Woof – Olympics Edition – July 31, 2012” and I can’t say that I blame people. Who doesn’t want to see hot athletic man meat at it’s finest?! I wasn’t planning on a second edition, but I can’t leave people hanging. I struggled through the selection process of finding the hottest guys in the Olympics. I had to thrust myself into searching for pictures of steamy goodness. Okay, okay, I didn’t struggle at all. I think searching the internet for the pictures is the best part, haha.

Enjoy the pictures, men.

I’ll start with some additional pictures of guys featured in the previous edition.

United States Gymnast Danell Leyva

I, for one, am glad Mr. Leyva likes to get naked.

And…how about his Dad!?

United States Water Polo Ryan Bailey

and I don’t know who this is…but I enjoy this one… a lot:

….and the new stuff:

United States Track and Field (Shot Put) Ryan Whiting

Canadian Track and Field (Shot Put) Dylan Armstrong

German Track and Field (Discus) Robert Harting

French Tennis Player Jo-Wildred Tsonga

German Track and Field (Shot Put) David Storl

…and this guy…not sure who it is…but that bulge.

“Love Your Neighbor” Day

Yesterday, I posted a thought/challenge regarding “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” where I challenged folks to put their money to the test and give to those in need. Chick-fil-A has reported that they saw a record-breaking sales day for the event. It seems others have the same thoughts about it as I have. Challenged by the same tweet that I had quoted in my post…others have been inspired to seek action with love.

In my Facebook notifications today, I received an invitation to attend “Nationwide Love Your Neighbor Day at Chick-fil-A.” I was curious. The event, which is being organized by Stephanie Stewart, Sally Frederic, Stacey Pillault, Anna Harkins, and Sarah Beth Reddick, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 8th. The description for the event is as follows:

Let’s make this Wednesday, August 8th, “Love Your Neighbor Day at Chick-Fil-A”. We need thousands of people to show up at their Chick-Fil-A and drop off a bag of non-perishable food with a note attached stating “THIS is what love looks like. Please donate this to your local food pantry.” Donate anything you can, even one or two cans from your cabinet if that is all you have. Do not go inside, try to encourage folks to volunteer to pick food up or maintain a presence there during the day. If this can get big enough, food pantry representatives can be on hand to collect the food. Let’s show these people that we LGBT people and allies know what love looks like. Food served without hate.

I will be honest, this is incredible. This is a peaceful demonstration of love that will have a great impact for the greater good. As I read reports of Chick-fil-A’s being vandalized, harassed, and bomb threats, I think this will be a great show of how love can prevail.

I would love to see not only the LGBT community on this, but straight people, red people, yellow people, polka dotted people, ALL PEOPLE get on this. Let’s make a difference…and maybe we can see eye-to-eye on how we care about people. Through a common action, maybe we can learn to celebrate our differences.

Click here to visit the event page.

I would love to hear some thoughts on this.

A Thought for Pondering

Today, a friend of mine on Facebook shared a tweet from @StuffCCLikes saying, “You’d never see that many Christians lined up to help at a food bank or homeless shelter. And that’s something Jesus actually said to do.” This got me really thinking.

In the new testament, Jesus tells his followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and (the one that gets overlooked the most) love your neighbor. I drove by my local Chick-fil-A last night. I was amazed at the amount of support they were receiving. Being this is the middle of the bible belt, I wasn’t surprised…just wowed. Several emotions hit at the same time. I was angry at the fact so many people are blindly supporting an organization solely on what they think they know. I was hurt that we, as gays, will never see that much support. Ultimately, I felt like I was all alone. The overwhelming wave of christian support is causing the gay rights issue to flounder in the tides.

Back to the tweet. I’m sure Chick-fil-A saw record sales. I’m sure the wallets of the bigots in charge got fatter. I’m sure that millions of christians felt like they were doing good by standing by their beliefs. For the latter, I applaud. I would say that a vast majority of them are ignorant (meaning lack of knowledge) of what they are supporting…other than a “christian company.” There are those who went just to “stick it to the gays.” Such as twitter user @mJd_32, who had this wise nugget: “No fags are allowed in Chick Fil A anymore!! Woho finally a place that I can eat without having to worry …” (Of course, today, she tweeted to her friends “Live your life how you want.” Contridiction much?)

With the success of “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” I present the following challenges to the company, and its followers:

• Having worked at Chick-fil-A, I know they have a way to see what the percent change was for the day. I think Chick-fil-A’s should take that profit and proudly give it to a ministry or organization that helps the homeless, hungry, or in need. Chick-fil-A says their “intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.” If that’s the case, then give the profits to an organization that is neutral to both sides of the issue.
• All the christians should be just as eager to really serve their god and line up at homeless shelters. Organize food drives to stock the pantries of food banks that are in need.
• Never use your bible as a weapon of hate. Yes, you can disagree with someone. I would challenge the other side with…don’t use their bible as a weapon of hate either. Find common ground.

 

My Life Has Come Full Circle

My life has come full circle. Honestly, I hope that’s not entirely true. In 2008, I had lost my job around the same time as Chick-fil-A showed me the foor this year. I couldn’t find a job then. This year, I felt very confident that I’d rebound quick and by this point, I’d be working again. It’s not that easy. I’m just scared…and confused…and mad…and sad.

Deep down, I think I know that it’ll be okay, that my time will come. Last time, I got so down on my luck that I turned to anything that would make me feel better. I did what I could. I went through a time where I turn to religion. Not a healthy religion, but a strict, legalistic religion. I convinced myself that I could be straight. I was at my lowest. Psychologically, it was the worst thing I could ever do. It took several years to build up my confidence.

Until now. I feel so low again. I need encouragement.

Weekly Woof – Olympics Edition – July 31, 2012

Okay, I’ll admit it. Gymnastics and water polo turns me on. Those adorable boys swirling and twirling…and flexible…in gymnastics and those beefy boys grabbing and rubbing in water polo. Homoerotic at its finest.

 

 

So, gentlemen, I bring you the Weekly Woof…Olympics Edition. Enjoy.

Ukrainian gymnast Igor Radivilov

French gymnast Pierre-Yves Beny

United States gymnast Dannel Leyva

…he has sent several…um…interesting pictures for people’s enjoyment. Enjoy, fellas…

USA Water Polo – Ryan Bailey

And the Games Have Started!

Friday night’s Opening Ceremony started this amazing gathering of the world’s finest athletes. The games have already had their share of triumph and their share of upsets. Most of all, we, as a globe, come together and celebrate a unique unity that should last longer than 16 days. We cheer on countries who’s athletes have struggles unheard of. We learn the back stories of our own athletes and we are left with a soaring pride when we see them victorious. It’s the Olympics. It’s an awesome time.

Friday’s Opening Ceremony was uniquely British. It was a lavish spectacle that included Voldemort, Mary Poppins, The Beatles, and Sir Paul McCartney. It was awesome and led to a breathtaking cauldron lighting by some of England’s unknown, rising athletes. It was a heartwarming event.

It’s an exciting time.

I’ve had plenty of time to watch the Olympics. I’m not feeling so well, so I’ve been in bed for a couple of days. I’m glad I had some entertainment.

Coming soon…Weekly Woof! – Olympics Version …you won’t want to miss it.