Can I just say how much I hate governmental bureaucratic bullshit paperwork? Medi-Cal, in particular, but any governmental agency that requires you to complete pages and pages of information... well, if there is such a thing as hell, then that is how you spend eternity there: filling out useless forms.
Medi-Cal was supposed to send me a renewal packet back in February, and for some reason I never received it, so I've been in the process of re-applying for something I've had for 15 years, and it just fucking drives me crazy, all the crap I have to provide them. Everything short of my dick size and whether or not I'm circumsized (I am, tragically).
So far I have provided everything from bank statements to vehicle registration to driver's license to insurance forms. And I still have to provide proof that I am in the process of applying for State Disability (mind you, I've been on private disability and SSDI since 1997, and I don't qualify for it, but nonetheless, I have to go through the harassment of getting my doctor to fill out the paperwork and send it in.
Oh well. Enough ranting for one day.
Oh sorry, one more rant: FUCK THE BOY SCOUTS.
How about a link to one of the highlights from last week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5MEn9sxpAs
aaaaah. Now I feel better. Amazing how music can heal and transform me so easily and quickly.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
GALA 2012
Well, I'm home from a week long trip to Denver (which included a one-day side trip to Laramie, WY, where I performed with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in a benefit concert for the Matthew Shepherd Foundation). GALA (which stands for Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses) happens every 4 years.
This year saw 6000 registrants from 140+ choruses (chori?) from 6 countries. Each chorus performs a 30 minute concert, and the music ranges from the ridiculously campy (we're queer, after all) to the sublime. I laughed. I cried. I laughed until I cried. I saw amazing performances and some so-so ones, but all in all, the sheer pleasure of being sung to by a variety of women's, men's, youth, and mixed choruses (of varying sizes-SFGMC being the largest there with 240 singers)... well, it was overwhelming to say the least.
The only thing that didn't happen was that I didn't get laid, and you'd think that out of 6000 delegates there'd be at least ONE person who would find me attractive. Oh well. Actually, the problem is that I'm too picky, so it's nobody's fault but my own (to quote Led Zeppelin).
SFGMC's set was all music from Stephen Schwartz. I missed the gay gene for loving Broadway musicals, so I had no idea who he was until we started rehearsing for our Enchantingly Wicked show in March. If you are like me, and Broadway/Show Tune challenged, no need to worry. His repetoire includes Godspell, Pippin, Wicked, as well as music from the movies Pocohontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, and Prince of Egypt. He also wrote specifically for our chorus a piece titled "Testimony", which is based on stories submitted to Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" project.
So, yes, this was a powerful, emotional set of music that saw us receive a standing ovation that lasted well over five minutes. And when we sang Testimony, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Oh, did I mention that Mr. Schwartz himself appeared onstage with us? And between you and me and the fence post, the song he performed ("Forgiveness' Embrace") was the song that made me misty-eyed.
Anyway, this is the first entry to my blog, and I'm still simultaneously tired and exhilarated from last week's trip.
This year saw 6000 registrants from 140+ choruses (chori?) from 6 countries. Each chorus performs a 30 minute concert, and the music ranges from the ridiculously campy (we're queer, after all) to the sublime. I laughed. I cried. I laughed until I cried. I saw amazing performances and some so-so ones, but all in all, the sheer pleasure of being sung to by a variety of women's, men's, youth, and mixed choruses (of varying sizes-SFGMC being the largest there with 240 singers)... well, it was overwhelming to say the least.
The only thing that didn't happen was that I didn't get laid, and you'd think that out of 6000 delegates there'd be at least ONE person who would find me attractive. Oh well. Actually, the problem is that I'm too picky, so it's nobody's fault but my own (to quote Led Zeppelin).
SFGMC's set was all music from Stephen Schwartz. I missed the gay gene for loving Broadway musicals, so I had no idea who he was until we started rehearsing for our Enchantingly Wicked show in March. If you are like me, and Broadway/Show Tune challenged, no need to worry. His repetoire includes Godspell, Pippin, Wicked, as well as music from the movies Pocohontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, and Prince of Egypt. He also wrote specifically for our chorus a piece titled "Testimony", which is based on stories submitted to Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" project.
So, yes, this was a powerful, emotional set of music that saw us receive a standing ovation that lasted well over five minutes. And when we sang Testimony, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Oh, did I mention that Mr. Schwartz himself appeared onstage with us? And between you and me and the fence post, the song he performed ("Forgiveness' Embrace") was the song that made me misty-eyed.
Anyway, this is the first entry to my blog, and I'm still simultaneously tired and exhilarated from last week's trip.
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