Archive for November, 2005

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

Morning. Frozen lime lusters the grass; the sun, round as an orange and orange as hot-weather moons, balances on the horizon, burnished the silvered winter woods. Scented acres of holiday trees, prickly-leafed holly. Red berries shiny as Chinese bells: black crows swoop upon them screaming. Having stuffed our burlap sacks with enough greenery and crimson to garland a dozen windows, we set about choosing a tree. “It should be,” muses my friend, “twice as tall as a boy. So a boy can’t steal a star.” The one we pick is twice as tall as me. A brave handsome brute that survives thirty hatchet strokes before it keels with a creaking rending cry. Lugging it like a kill, we commence the long trek out. Every few yards we abandon the struggle, sit down and pant. But we have the strength of triumphant huntsmen; that and the tree’s virile, icy perfume revive us, goad us on!”– Truman Capote (1924-1984)

Divine Penetration. Who knew that saintliness could be so erotic? Come in and check out our new addition. Reni’s portrait of Sebastian, the youthful saint has already been penetrated by the arrows that make his martyrdom possible. He looks acquiescent, resigned: the body may be in pain (and about to die), but a greater reward is coming. The body’s exposed, lovingly detailed quality suggests, however, that some pleasures are available on earth and in the flesh, not just in heaven and in the spirit. (Reni’s portrait enshrines Sebastian as an icon in the queer continuum: it was one of Oscar Wilde’s favorite paintings, and authors as different as Yukio Mishima and Tennessee Williams have adapted the image for their use.)

Black Friday. When did today get this name? Does it really mean when stores get their books in the black?

Do people still rush out today to fight crowds to start their Christmas shopping? Why? The Christmas stuff has been on display for well over a month.

Well, I am the last minute shopping type guy. If you are with me in your habits I have an idea for you. How about a Wilde Roast Cafe gift card? We can make it for any amount, and if it is over $25 you get a free espresso drink for yourself. Besides gift cards you could give a Wilde Roast Cafe T-Shirt, mug, travel mug, pound of coffee beans, or a tin of tea. Query Bookseller also sells gift cards….for the reader on your list.

I always remember Thanksgiving being big at my house growing up. I would get up early and watch the Macy’s Parade with my mom. Then my seven older brothers and sisters would arrive with their families. My mom would serve about 30 people on that day.

My older brother David (who is gay also) would always bring friends who didn’t have a place to go for the day because of not being accepted by their family. My sisters loved it because several of his friends were hair stylist and would give them free cuts.

Well, this Thursday is Thanksgiving and I want to let you know two things:

1) The Wilde Roast Cafe will be closed the whole day. We have a great staff and they need to spend the day with their families.

2) If you are a GLBT person looking to get stuffed this Thanksgiving. Consider spending it at MAP with PrideAlive. There will be a free movie marathon and dinner celebration beginning at 2pm. FFI and RSVP call Keith Pederson at (612) 373-2475 keith.pederson@mnaidsproject.org

Check out : The Children�s Hour
November 11-12, 18-20, December 2-3, & 9-11 2005 @ 7:30 PM
November 13, & December 4, 2005 @ 2PM

Bedlam Theatre
514 � Cedar Avenue

CHILDREN�S HOUR by Lillian Hellman
Directed by OBIE award winner Maxine Klein

When called before the infamous House Un-American Activities Committee, the playwright of this significant work, Lillian Hellman, courageously refused to give names with the now famous words �I will not cut my morals to fit the fashion of the time.� Ms. Hellman could have well made the same statement about her ground-breaking play, The Children�s Hour. At a time when homosexuals were harassed, hounded, denied work and worse, Ms. Hellman wrote the 2nd play in our nations� history to deal with intolerance against homosexuals. Just for daring to broach the subject in a play, Ms. Hellman was denied consideration by the Pulitzer Committee and her play was banned in Boston. The audience will find in this remarkable work written in 1934, an undeniable contemporary resonance–a resonance enhanced by the fact that the issues of this play extend beyond intolerance against homosexuality to how lies and intolerance can wreck the lives of any victimized person or people.

For Information:Call 763.807.6115 or contact UnravelingMuses@aol.com

I found out last night that The Aliveness Project gets over 600 requests for baskets. Each basket is different, with requests varying from clothing items to household needs. So think about it, for $30 you can help someone living with HIV-AIDS and get a 2 for 1 Dinner coupon for yourself at the Wilde Roast Cafe. Just fill out the form and drop it off with your check for $30 or more. I heard from The Aliveness Project that a college student picked up a form at the cafe and is now buying baskets for a family of 3 ($120)AND is helping delivering basket. Yes, with 600 baskets they need help with that too. If you don’t have the $30 think about volunteering time to deliver baskets or bake cookies.

Do you love coffee? Well of course you do. This coming weekend is the 16th Annual Coffee Festival with proceeds benefiting AIDS Care Partners at Calhoun Square.

Saturday, November 19: 10am - 2pm

Dean and I will be there with Alakef Coffee. We feel Alakef is the best roaster in Minnesota. So come by and sample coffee and eat treats for a good cause….AIDS Care Partners….yes, the same people that bring us BINGO A GO GO. I think Lee is going to be a little tired next Sunday.

Have you seen the white lights on the roof of the cafe yet? Swing by some night and check them out.

Did you get a chance to see the segment on KSTP last week? You can view it at: http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/s11741.html

Dean and I spent the weekend in Palm Springs, CA this past weekend for their PRIDE and my Birthday. Here is a picture of us with Lucy Ball.