Long overdue update!

Wow- hard to believe it has been over a month since my last update! Thanks to my hubby- Azahar- who reminded me to update.

However, it has been so long I am not sure really what to say. I have 15 days left until I am done with classes at JWU. Then I get to focus on nothing but student teaching, my students, and being a good teacher. For this- I CANT WAIT!

I get sad when I think that college is pretty much over. It is a bitter sweet feeling that I just tend to not think about. I will miss so much (and not miss just as much). With this also comes time for me to figure out WTF I am doing with my life... and well... I have no clue to be honest. Moving? Staying? Teaching? Something else? Who knows!

I think about this literally, at least 5x a day. Each time I think about it I never have an answer. When the time comes I will have the answer or know inside and I will sit tight until that day comes.

Its kind of funny. I am really getting used to this Mr. Judge thing. I, by accident, introduced myself to someone the other day 9an adult not at the high school) as Mr. Judge. i laughed so hard!

Recently I have been missing my friends who are all over the country. It feels good to know I have amazing friends that no matter how far away, keep in touch. However, not having my two strongest support systems (great friends and family) not around me can be rough at times. I just have to remember that they are out there, I am loved, I love them, and geography can not separate us.

I am going back to NY for thanksgiving to see my family. I am very excited! I have not made it back for most thanksgivings after moving. This, I regret - but it was mainly financial reasons.

Until my next update (which I promise will be sooner than later)

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Camping

This weekend I went camping in Breckenridge. It was so nice! However, being there reminded me of my friends, Leadership Academy, Kellie, Matt and all the gang.

Believe it or not this was the first time I had ever been camping. i loved it up until the time to go to sleep. I quickly found out i am not the camping type and love my bed way too much!

Here are some pictures form the weekend!

Mr. Judge

So...

I just signed my first email with "Mr. Judge." It WAS SO WEIRD!

Introducing myself to new students I meet is odd too..... every time I do it, I smile. Just thought I would share!

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

One week down!!

I have just finished my first week back at school! What a week it was! Classes, the work load and just the experience in general have been stressful and very overwhelming. I have a lot of work ahead of me this year.

Trying to get everything ready for student teaching (documentation etc), going to my ED courses, making up a culinary lab, and setting up early field experiences, has me exhausted this week. I say there are not enough hours in the day, but honestly, if there were more hours I do not think I would have enough energy to keep going anyways.

I am making up a culinary lab this segment (Storeroom). I am in it with all first time freshmen. It has been frustrating at times (at most times actually). Patsy tells me it is good practice for having patience and being compassionate for teaching. However, college students are and should be held to a higher expectation than them. If a high school student does not know what a clove of garlic looks like, while I would be surprised, I would understand. However, if an individual decides to go to culinary school to be a chef and DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GARLIC IS.... I am appalled. What in their mind said culinary school is a good idea when they do not even know what garlic looks like?!??!?!

So anyways… THIS is the type of things that come with freshman labs that is DRIVING ME BONKERS!

There is a student in the class who is mentally disabled. His actions and lack of knowledge and social skills are not his fault. However, most people in the class are not tolerant of that and unwilling to help him or show compassion. This has me even more frustrated……

I have been helping him a long. Chef put him in my group on purpose so I could help. He is MAANY questions about everything and I do my best to help him understand situations and the content. However, there are certain actions that I cannot seem to get him to understand.

First being that his constant singing is driving people crazy and when they ask him to stop they mean it. Also, he touches people when it is unwelcomed. Even after people ask him to stop touching them; he does not seem to get it. I am not sure how to handle this as to an extent he cannot help it… but at the same time it is also not ok that people are being touched unwelcomed.

These are the types of things I have been thinking about and doing this week. I start at my student teaching placement on Wednesday. I am very excited for that (and scared and nervous and happy and anxious…)

Until next time…

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Organization

It amazes me how much time it is taking me to organize my last 3+ years of disorganization. I have spent the past 2 days attempting to organize all of my files, lesson plans, worksheets, notes, power points etc.

I am only about 2/3 of the way done and it feels endless. Then once that is done I need to take all of my Field Experience hours, teaching documentation, lessons, licensing hours, and work samples into one fancy binder. If I get this done now I will be in good shape at the end of the year when it comes down to graduation and applying for my license.

I wish I was more like my roommate Rob. He has manage to keep up with all of this. I am hoping that by living with him it will rub off! Once organized they key will be to remain that way through student teaching. However, it is easier to stay organized when there is a system.

Amazingly, in the past 3+ years of going to school, being Student Body President etc. I never came up with a real system. My system was out of sight, out of mind. LOL. That is just not cutting it anymore.

I wish I had the motivation to start all of this last week when I was being a bum. However, I guess it was a well deserved break. Now- I will stop procrastinating and get back to it!

Autumn

So... it's been a little chilly here in CO lately. This means one thing... Autumn is coming! Autumn is my favorate season ever. There is something about the changing leaves and crisp air that makes me feel alive.

Also, I can wear sweaters. I LOVE to wear sweaters. #1 they are comfortable, #2 they are professional, but most importantly, #3 I LOOK HOTT in them! :)

My favorate weather is when I can just wear a sweater, no coat and be fine! Any colder is just blah.....

Sadly in CO, if you blink you miss autumn. We have the weirdest weather that is simply unpredictable. However, the leaves changing is not a matter of months like on the east but instead what seems like a matter of days.

Anyways, all these pictures are from home (NY) by G. Steve Jordan. Wonderful photographer, I own some of his work.

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-

Ryan

Job update

It lasted 3 whole days (5 if you count the weekend). I am back to work at The Center. I left because of school and student teaching. I would not be able to work there during business hours.

Well, I got a call from my boss Deb on Tuesday. I am going to work for a few hours on Saturdays. Running reports, acknowledgment letters etc. No real big deal but I am happy to have the connection again. Also, the few extra dollars will not hurt at all.

When she called I was like – It has been 3 days…. How can you need me already! HAHAHA. I guess it made me feel good to know my work was appreciated.

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Jobless Ryan

Friday was my last day at The Center. It was a little weird cleaning out my desk and turning in my keys; especially because there was NO ONE there. It was a very odd feeling. I do not think it really hit me that I was not going back until yesterday.

I have one week off before I start school and get my ducks in a row for student teaching. I also have plenty of things I could do this week. I have a lot of organizing to do before school starts. However, I am being a bum and not doing much of anything.

I have been sitting by the pool, going swimming and in the hot tub, hanging out with Jory and Emily, watching TV and that’s about it. Oddly enough, instead of taking advantage of this time off I keep telling myself I need to get a job. I have never, NOT had a job since I was 14.

Just knowing that I am unemployed right now (even by choice), I stressing about getting a job. It is really weird. Do not know what is wrong with me. I should be happy I do not have to work for a while. I guess hard work is just part of my upbringing. It’s part of me.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful extended weekend!
Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Hate

Tonight, Erica came over for dinner and a movie. We needed to get some rolls so we ran across the way to a shopping center. I had not changed after work so I was wearing my PrideFest polo which is professional with a small embroidered logo on the left hand side.

I was in the self checkout when the Latino man behind me in line, standing with his wife and 2 small children, asked me what my shirt meant. Feeling a little uncomfortable I decided to simple say “Oh, it’s just a festival.”

He shook his head and paused.

Then he said “is it a good festival?”

I replied with “I like to think so.”

I was very uncomfortable and at this point the check out machine could not have taken any longer to accept my payment.

He shook his head some more and in an uneasy tone said “good, cause the rainbow in the back of it scared me a little bit.”

I simply looked at him for a moment and he stared right back. I looked at Erica and she was very uneasy, so I smiled and turned towards the machine to finish the transaction as quickly as possible. We quickly proceeded to the door but then stopped once we were out of site to rent a movie from Red Box.

We chatted about the guy and how we felt. We then went into the parking lot, got in the car and waited at the light. When the green arrow came on and I was turning I noticed the car behind me. I then also noticed at a few more points that the car was making every turn I was. This proceeded into my apartment complex. I was very scared that it was that same individual who decided to follow me home.

I buzzed through the parking lot looking in my mirrors the whole time. I released a sigh of relief when I saw that it was simply another person who lived there.

I CAN NOT believe that in 2008, after women’s liberation and the civil rights movement that people are still so ignorant and full of hate. If the man disagreed with the lifestyle that is one thing, to confront me about it in a grocery store is another. The only reason to bring it up is to create a problem. I could have easily made something of it with him in the store and continued with a debate but was worried for the outcome.

It is 10 years after Matthew Shepard was killed for being gay but only a month after Angie

Zapata was killed for being transgendered. The world we live in is a scary place. People still think

hate and discrimination is ok.

I also cannot believe people still think gay is a choice. Why would anyone choose to go through the rejection, bullying, and fear that it sadly comes with. Getting through a day is hard enough without needed to add discrimination and hate on top of it.

This has bothered me all night. The man was all I thought about during dinner and through a movie. I was not doing anything to him or directed at him. I was purchasing groceries and he confronted me. I hate that I even worry. I should not need to but fact is, I still have to.
It is sad that I cannot wear a professional looking shirt with a logo from work in public without needing to worry about what others will think. I am proud of who I am and my accomplishments. I should be able to wear my true colors without fear.

To anyone who reads this I ask one thing….

Do your part to stop the hate. When someone makes a joke, even if it is “harmless,” it can still be a dagger to the heart. When someone says “that’s so gay,” remind them that it is offensive. Most people who say it do not mean for it to be offensive or they would not be saying it but fact is…. It hurts. While this may be small, the hate will not end when society accepts this as a norm.

Hate is not an American value. Love and opportunity are. America is a melting pot; founded on the ideals that we are all different, unique in our own way but still have civil liberties. We need to embrace differences as that are what makes our nation great.

Sorry for the long post- just needed to get this out because it is bothering me a great deal. One day discrimination will end. This simply reminds me why we must all work hard and do our part.

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Ryan's Update!

I realize these blogs have been a little far apart. For that, I apologize.

Part of the reason for that is because I just moved. I moved form the Stapleton area of Denver to Westminster (north-west of Denver). I am there right now with out internet access until the 16th. After that point I hope to update more often!

I moved that direction because I would be student teaching at Northglenn High School. However, there may be a change of plans but that is a whole separate blog entry!

Because of school and student teaching I am leaving my position at The Center. I honestly do not think I have ever been this sad to leave a job. While it is very stressful, I love my job and the people I work with. Most of the people I did not enjoy working with no longer work there, which is nice. HAHA

I was told that no matter what there will always be a job waiting for me here. And on a weekly basis they ask when I can cam back. It is a nice feeling to know I am appreciated.

I will miss the “Off Site Meetings” at Broadways or Sutra Room (bars), the free stuff, the cool events and the good friends!

I have a lot of great things ahead of me but this is one chapter I am sad to close.

Howdy Friends!

It has been some time from my last update. Please let me explain….
About 3 days before I was leaving for NY I found out I needed to move out of my apartment in Stapleton when I got back - which is a blessing- but harsh timing. So, I needed to go on a fast apartment hunt and try to get the lease and everything set up before I left so I had a place when I returned.

So there I was, the morning of my flight, sitting in the leasing office of an apartment frantically trying to get a lease written up, signed, the whole bit. I was down to the last 5 min before I had to simply walk out to make my flight when we finished. WEEHOO!! I will be moving to Westminster when I return. It will make for a rough commute to work but that will be short lived, as my last day at The Center is Aug 29th anyway.

Off to the airport I went. Well, I have never been on a flight that went smoothly and that was not about to change now. I was on the plane ready to go when they unboarded it because there was no pilot. When you put 100+ people on a plane how do you NOT KNOW you need a pilot?!?!?!?!?!?!?

So I ended up not leaving Denver until about 7pm. I wish I had known, as it would have made my morning a lot less stressful. So anyway, I missed my connecting flight in Chicago. However, 98% of my flight was in the same situation so they needed to put up our whole flight in a hotel. They knew this in Denver BEFORE we left. One would think they would have been ready for us in Chicago… well no.

We got there at about 10pm Chicago time and there was ONE, count them, ONE United employee in the WHOLE FLIPPIN terminal to serve us and other flights. How this happens, I will not know. So, there is a line at the customer service desk that goes half way down the terminal. It was exactly 29min before I took my first step. Lets just say… I was not a happy camper.

Luckily, one of the other people in line who were in a group went to one of the other terminals to complain and they sent over 2 more people. So now there was 3 but still moving rather slow. So by the time it was my turn of course there were no hotel rooms left in places close to the airport. So, they put me up in a hotel, which was quite the little shuttle ride. By the time I got checked into the room it was about 1:30am almost 2am and I needed to be up by 4am to leave at 5am for a 6am departure.

Anyway- I finally made it to Albany a day late. Many of you know that I was going home to cater my brother’s engagement party. It was my gift to them. Plus- after $80,000 of "culinary school" they expected it to be darn good. So I was not happy to be a day behind on my preparations.
I cooked for 4 days straight to single handily feed about 125 people. It was wonderful and everyone loved the food. Now, I do not want to cook again for at least a week or so. LOL
Now, I have the week to relax, visit friends and family and figure a few things out before I go back to Denver on Monday. I miss my NY life at times but I miss my Denver life so much more. I love Denver, the people in it and almost everything about it. There is a lot of pressure for me to move back here next year but I do not know. It is a hard decision.

I have less than a year to figure out what to do with my life and it can be frightening at times. I have a lot of ideas but no real direction, but… that’s what life is all about right?! If you actually read this whole entry I am sorry. It is a novel but I had a lot to update on. I hope all is well and thanks for reading! Until next time…

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Fireworks

Tonight I was supposed to go to a BBQ but decided not to as I am feeling a little under the weather.

From my apartment window I can see the lights and scoreboard of Dick Sporting Goods Park. They are supposed to have a fireworks show tonight after a game. I figured it would be OK if I stayed home b/c at least I would be able to see them. They have not yet come. I am patiently waiting.

I can hear fireworks going on in other places. it is making me miss my family. I was never really crazy about fireworks but my family would always go watch the show. We used to go to the college, sit out in the cold and wait. The show always went fast but they are good memories.

Then I guess the town moved the fireworks to the fairgrounds. This time last year I was back in NY and we did the same routine, just at the fairgrounds. It was probably about 10 years ago now that we took a family vacation to Washington DC to see the fireworks show. We sat on the steps of the capital building, watched a concert with Dolly Parton, The Pointer Sisters and it was all hosted by Tony Danza. Those were the best fireworks i have ever seen in my life!

Now, I am sitting here wanting more than ever to see them as they make me think of my family.

I wish I was in NY right now to have the same experience. But- in a little over a week I will be! yay! If you actually read all of this entry- I apologize!

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-

Ryan

Facts about SB200

SB 200 became law when Gov. Ritter signed the bill on May 29, 2008.

SB 200 adds sexual orientation and transgender status to state laws prohibiting discrimination in housing, public accommodations, advertising, consumer credit and about 2 dozen other areas of state law.

The word “restroom” never appears in the text of SB 200. The bill is about preventing discrimination, not bathrooms.

19 other states have laws prohibiting discrimination based upon sexual orientation in places of public accommodation. Of those 19 states, 12 also cover gender identity or transgender status.

Focus on the Family spokesperson Bruce Hausknecht has admitted to reporters that they are unaware of any crime that has been committed in a public restroom because of SB 200 or similar laws in other states (Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, June 26, 2008).

Focus on the Family knows they are lying – but they just keep repeating their lies.

Take Action!!

This just released from Equal Rights Colorado:

Focus on the Family is Waging a Fear Campaign

Focus on the Family Action has begun running a new round of radio advertisements attacking state legislators who supported SB 200.

These malicious ads prey upon the misinformed and suggest that prohibiting discrimination based upon sexual orientation and transgender status will permit sexual predators to molest children in public restrooms.

Their tactics are shameful and their claims are ridiculous, but they think they can keep repeating their lies often enough to scare people into believing them.

Later today (Wednesday, July 2, 2008) Governor Bill Ritter will appear on the “Caplis & Silverman” radio talk show from 3:00 to 6:00 pm on KHOW, 630 AM. Focus on the Family has been plotting an ambush for Gov. Ritter and has sent out numerous action alerts urging their followers to call in to the show and ask Gov. Ritter preposterous questions about SB 200.
We must fight back!

Please listen to the radio program this afternoon and call in to ask these questions:
- Isn’t it true that SB 200 simply prohibits discrimination in public accommodations and says nothing about restrooms?
- Isn’t it true that 19 other states have similar laws and Focus on the Family cannot point to any crimes in their public restrooms that have occurred because of the anti-discrimination law?
- Isn’t it true that nothing in SB 200 creates a defense to any criminal behavior?
- Isn’t it true that criminal behavior in public restrooms is already illegal and SB 200 does nothing to change this?
- Isn’t it true that people were using public restrooms before SB 200 became law and that nothing in SB 200 has changed the way people use public restrooms?
- Isn’t it true that the Focus on the Family ad campaign is based upon ugly stereotypes with no basis in truth or reality?
Call today between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
The studio call in line is (303) 713-8255.

Take Action!
Call Focus on the Family and ask them to “Quit Focusing on Fear!”
Their attempt to stereotype GLBT persons as sexual predators is demeaning and offensive.

Their attempt to bully Gov. Ritter and state legislators is nothing more than a smear campaign.

Call Focus on the Family at 1-800-232-6459 and demand a stop to their fear campaign.

Call Governor Bill Ritter and thank him for signing SB 200 and standing up to the fear-based tactics of bullies like Focus on the Family.
Our opponents have flooded the Governor’s office with thousands of phone calls.

We need your voice of reason to be heard – please thank Gov. Ritter and our friends in the state legislature for supporting equal rights.

Call Governor Ritter at 303-866-2471 and thank him for signing SB 200.

PrideFest Media

WOW! Look at all this coverage!

Media Coverage
PrideFest Denver - 2008

Television Coverage:
Channel 4 News
Channel 9 News
Fox 31 News
Channel 12: KBDI - Studio 12
Commercial on Comcast Channels : English & Spanish

Print Media:
Seattle Gay News
Tucson Observer
Liberty Press-Kansas City, MO
The Las Vegas Bugle
Salt Lake Metro
Minneapolis Pride Guide
OUT Magazine - Nationally Distributed
The Advocate -Nationally Distributed
Out Front Colorado
Metromode Magazine
Pink Magazine - Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles & San Francisco
Colorado Pride Guide

News Articles:
Rocky Mountain News
Denver Post
Out Front Colorado
Metromode Magazine
Gayzette
Westword
Weird Sisters
The Oyster

Web Coverage:
Connexion.org
Blog: MileHighGayGuy
Blog: Denver PrideFest 2008
Blog: The Denver Gay Examiner
MySpace.com
Facebook.com
CafeVivid.com
SoStyleyPUP.com
CenterLink
Denver 365
Gay City USA
YouTube.com
gay.com
topix.com
Bgay.com
phillygaycalendar.com

Radio Advertising:
AM760
107.1 one FM
88.5FM/1390AM KGNU
101.5 Independent Alternative
95.7 The Party

Good Press

Below are links to some good festival press.



Watch the videos, click on the slideshows & read the articles! on the Ch4 News one about getting married- Hope is the Deputy Director at The Center and the two guys I go to school with.



Rocky Mountain News article:http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2 ... pridefest/

CBS4 (a whole page of stories):http://cbs4denver.com/search/Default.as ... st&TabId=0

9News:http://www.9news.com/life/entertainment ... &catid=343



One of the news clips has a guy say that PrideFest is an event he would be proud to take his granddaughter to. That means a lot to me! We work hard to make it a family friendly festival!

PrideFest Love

There are different types of love. There is the love between a mother and son, the love for a sibling, the love for a best friend, and the love ice cream… just to name a few. Well I have found a new type of love – the PrideFest love.


There is a special love for people who work on PrideFest. You may not be particularly fond of the individual on a daily basis, the person may not be someone you would talk to on a regular basis, or you may have never interacted with the person before; however, when they work hard to produce something as big as PrideFest they hold a very special place in your heart.

To people who I did PrideFest for two years with, I can honestly say that I love most all of them. However it is a special love like no other. I think it has to do with the common bond we all share – a shared experience.

To people reading this who are not in Denver – PrideFest 2008 was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!! Our attendance went form an estimated 210,000 in 2007 to over 250,000 in 2008. We also did well financially. We saw a 26% increase in revenue this year. PrideFest is a fundraiser for The GLBT Community Center of Colorado – a 501©3 non-profit. So this increase is of course going to good use.

We always want to grow and prepare for growth – however, we did not expect and were not prepared for this large of an increase. It was a nightmare for production; however, of all problems to have, this is THE BEST DARN PROBLEM!

The festival recieved a lot of media coverage. Mostly positive but also some negative. It hurts to read negative press on something we work so hard on. However- one day we will have equality and hopefully the hate will be erased.

I have about 100,000,000 stories from the weekend and things I can say about the festival and experience. I simply cannot write about all of them (and would prob get fired if I wrote some of them).

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Back When

Emily left my radio on KYGO yesterday… I do not normally listen to country music but it is ok every now and again. So, on my way to work I was listening to country music. I normally hear music on the radio but never really listen. Well, for some reason I caught the lyrics in one line of a song and it rang so true.

“I’m learning so much more now than back when I knew it all.”

This is so true- looking back at when I was younger; I thought I knew it all. Now looking back I wish I was there to smack myself upside the head! Anyways- I am sure you can relate. Here is the song!



Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Fighting

So…
On Saturday I went to the Parker Country Festival with Emily, Bianca, and her friend Heidi. We went to enjoy the festivities but ultimately to see a free concert with the Eli Young Band. I had never heard of them but Emily and Jory love them so I thought why not? They are country rock and AMAZING!! If you do not know them, look them up. They had a few good songs but their song “Faith,” I really enjoyed.
So after it was over the girls wanted to get autographs so we crowded around the gate where they would be signing and waited. Then there was this semi-tall, skinny guy wearing a cowboy hat, who had a bad Irish accent. He kept pushing Bianca, touching her, and pushing up against her. I would have thought he was just trying to get to the front of the line if he was not laughing saying “I’m moving in on you baby.” I heard that and looked back. I have never seen Bianca look more uncomfortable.
So I nicely asked him to step back and not touch her. Well he got in my face and started yelling at me. I stayed calm, grabbed Bianca, and calmly said that I was simply asking him to move to the side and not touch her. He continued to get in my face.
At that time my adrenaline was pumping. Now, most of you know I am the most anti-confrontational person alive. I will do anything to avoid a fight or argument. Well when I saw the look on Bianca’s face I did not care. I was ready to beat the **** out of this kid. Luckily, I think he realized and decided to step away to talk shit. I put my arm around her and stepped away from the crowd.
So there was no actual fight but I was darn close to it. That is so unlike me and my heart was pumping for about a half hour after. I was surprised at myself for having those fighting feeling – but I guess we all have out breaking point. I was ready to fight. Happy I didn’t, but punching his lights out for making Bianca feel that way would have been satisfying.

Moral of the story- fighting is not always the answer and we all have our limits.
Peace, love & apple pie-
Ryan

Things you miss....

I absolutely love living in Colorado. I love the people, the climate, the environment... I love most things about it. However, the fact that over 3 years later, I still miss home, surprises me. I remember growing up, hating my town, where I lived etc, but now I miss so many things about it.

For quite some time I did not see myself moving back east. I have worked so incredibly hard over the past three years to establish myself and make connections that I really do not want to give that up. Also, Career & Technical Education is much more valued in CO than NY. As that is my career path that also has a profound impact on my decision.

While my family can get under my skin very easily, I miss them. The perfect solution would be for them to move to CO. However, that is not going to happen. I feel like I am missing out on key moments in the lives of my little sister, nieces etc. I hate that I cannot just drive home for birthday celebrations, holidays, and special occasions.

I can only get home a few times a year and for a very short period. I will be going back to NY to visit from July 14th-28th. I am so excited to see my family, old friends, spend time on the boat, go to the races, eat hard rolls, and maybe even go fishing.

Moving away was good for me. It taught me independence and also strengthened my relationship with my parents. I wish I could have my cake and eat it too. Deciding to say in CO or move to NY will be tough. Luckily, I have almost a year to figure that out!

Until the next blog....

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

The Starfish!

So, over the past few years I adopted a life goal : To save the world one starfish at a time.



Below is the story which this came from. It is a good life goal because it is one I will forever need to work on. My friend Kellie made me a starfish lapel pin which I LOVE!! i wear it on my suit and it is always a conversation starter. Thanks Kellie!

********************************************************************************

There once was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore, as he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day and he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man, and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something, and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
He called out,“Good morning, what are you doing?”
The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
“I guess I should have asked; why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out .And if I don’t throw them then they’ll die.”
“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea,past the breaking waves and said,
“It made a difference for that one.”
-Author Unknown-

Ted Allen

Howdy Folks!

A number of months ago I was approached by the Matthew Shepard Foundation to do an interview for their new website, Matthews Place, which is a LGBTQQI youth "to go" for resources. They wanted me to come up with questions that youth would want to know the answers of.

I came up with a list of questions I thought would be interesting. However, at The Center we have a youth services program which oversees Rainbow Alley, the only safe zone drop in space in Denver. I went back to the Alley and talked to a bunch of youth. Their questions WERE NOT even close to mine. So I used a lot of theirs and did this interview.

Ted Allen was the food & wine guy for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and also has a PBS show. Check it out:

http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/PageNavigator/Matthews%20Place/Engage/Voices/Voices_Ted_Allen

Hope you enjoy!
Ryan

Deciding to Blog

I created this page a while back because I was blogging on the School of Education blog at JWU and wanted to be able to comment on it. I never really had the time or energy to write my own blog.

However, I find that I do not communicate as often with some people as I would like. This way people can know what’s going on in my world without me having to contact each and every individual.

The inspiration also came from Professional Blogger, Drew Wilson. He has his own blog, MilehighGayGuy (http://www.milehighgayguy.blogspot.com/) and is the official blogger for PrideFest (http://www.denverpridefest2008.blogspot.com/). I like to read his blogs so hopefully people will come to read mine as well.

Sometimes these blogs may be random thoughts, rants, interesting facts, & personal updates. Either way I hope you come back and read every so often!

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan