Arrggg.  We'll cross the 48 hour mark tonight and word on the street is that we may have to wait until FRIDAY.  It is all rumor b/c distributing information seems to be a big weak spot in the world of Duquesne Light.  All of this -- all of this -- would be much better if we just had some information as to what is going on here in Manchester (as I'm sure others feel, too). 

Today, we discovered that while the frozen food may last 48 hours, the auto ice machine doesn't so we had small river on our floor along with sopping wet frozen food.  Bye-bye popsicles and organic turkey.  We have one cooler with a half gallon milk and half an Italian sub to tide us over.  I hate Italian subs. 

Plus, I seem to have bronchitis.  It began as a little tickle in my chest and now I'm in agony.  We'll see what the good doctor says tomorrow, but I'm suspecting I'm going to have to spend my vacation (next week) recovering and probably not walking in the Great Race the following weekend.  Which completely sucks.

So I was miserable when I got to work today ... phlegmy, wet, grumpy and so forth.

Then it got worse.  My college roomie and friend of 20 years told me that her 34 year old brother, Father Michael, had died unexpectedly.  As if there is anything to expect about the death of a 34 year old man.  I've known Michael since he was just a nice kid who enjoyed when we came to visit him from college.  I last saw him in June 07 when he presided at the wedding of his sister.  He bought me a cross as a gift and we spent the weekend calling each other goofy names.  I had nicknamed him Duke back in college (reason unknown) and went around adding "Duke Kenny" to the mailing list of any Catholic site that I visited.  His mother still gets that mail. 

Father Mike was the best of men.  He never judged me or changed the way he treated me a single bit when he learned I was a lesbian.  He lived what he preached and that's rare enough in this world.  I cannot imagine this world without him.  I'm not one for sentimental visions of heaven, but I must admit that it makes me feel better to imagine him reunited with his father and looking down to comfort the family here on earth. 

The world really is a bit darker this evening.  God rest his soul. 

So, Sunday was great.  The air was cool, we get a ton of house stuff done and even snuck away for ice cream in the middle of the afternoon.  Game time rolls around and we make good on a mutual promise to attack the giant pile of laundry that seems to have mutated in our bedroom.  I wrestle away the last sock from the dogs and that's done.  Change the sheets.  Lay down to read my book and watch the game. Then ... the power goes out.  We stumble around looking for flashlights and extra batteries.  Wait, its back!  And there it goes again.  We go through this seduction a few more times.  Then we curl up with a flashlight each and a book. 

Fast forward 18 hours ... still no electricity.  What's up with that?  This is Manchester.  We are like 1 mile from the giant electric sucking wonder called Heinz Field.  How can our part of the grid not be working?  The police HQ is here. Do they have a backup generator?  What about the poor critterss at the Humane Society? 

Our food is toast.  Not literally b/c while the bread survives the fridge, the toaster is electric.Thank god we were too lazy to go shopping yesterday.  The fancy new stove is great. Not so much the oven.  Or any other useful appliance.  I can shower and read by flashlight.   I've never gone this long without power.  Thankfully, it is cool and we have big windows that let in lots of light. 

But it is creepy to sit here with no electricity sounds.  No humms, no whirrs, no occasional clicks.  I'm watching my neighbors bring in enough ice to make me wonder if they have a body they are preserving.  Someone else is cutting up tree limbs.  It isn't that exciting. 

The PG is reporting that it might take up to Wednesday or Thursday to fix things in some areas.  Yikes.  I guess I'll be hauling all of my rechargeable gadgets into work tomorrow.

I waited all day for this, enduring a meal at TGI Fridays (blaa) and a movie at the Waterfront (why must there be so many non-movie related distractions in one giant place?).  Then we rushed home, jumped into our jammies and saw this.  It is hilarious:

Leading off tonight, a thoughtful post from The Bilerico Project about the 12 most significant books for the lesbian and gay community (his term).  I've read one - the Bible.  And I have to stay that I am absolutely stunned that Middlesex did not make the cut.  It is a phenomenal novel.  I'm adding the other books to my Goodreads.com account tonight.  If you are a booklover, Goodreads is the place for you (plus, there's a Goodreads application on Facebook).   Anyway, check out the list and let me know what you've read.

Surprise, surprise.  Sarah Palin has a connection to the ex-gay movement.  Sigh.  Well, to be precise, her church has ties to "Love Won Out", the ex-gay movement.  Obama himself was tied to Donnie McClurkin, an avid ex-gay pastor.  Nothing new under the son.  Religion wins out. 

Pennsylvania's own John Murtha and Tim Murphy have been named among the 20 most corrupt members of Congress.

Murphy: Misuse of Congressional Staff

Rep. Murphy has misused taxpayer-funded congressional staff and resources for political campaign activities.  Specifically, Rep. Murphy used his Mt. Lebanon congressional office for campaign strategy sessions and to store campaign-related materials.  In addition, his congressional staff was expected to assist his re-election campaign.

In October 2006, former and current staff members alleged that congressional staff dropping off official literature throughout the district in the summer before the election were instructed to make drops only at the homes of registered voters; and that in December 2005, district office staff were instructed to assemble and send greeting cards to Rep. Murphy?s campaign contributors during the government workday.  According to Rep. Murphy?s aides, while they were not explicitly threatened with dismissal if they did not participate in these activities, they felt pressured to do so.

By using congressional staff to engage in campaign activity on official time and with the use of official resources, Rep. Murphy may have violated the prohibition on soliciting political contributions from employees, the prohibition on using appropriated funds for campaign activity, House ethics rules and the regulations of the Committee on House Administration.

Murtha:

Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA) is an 18th-term member of Congress, representing Pennsylvania?s 12th congressional district.  Rep. Murtha chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.  Rep. Murtha?s ethics violations stem from abuse of his position on the subcommittee to benefit the lobbying firm of a former long-term staffer and from threatening to block earmarks of other members for political purposes.  Rep. Murtha was included as a member to watch in CREW?s 2006 and 2007 reports on congressional corruption.
PMA Group

Paul Magliocchetti worked with Rep. Murtha as a senior staffer on the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense for 10 years.  After leaving the committee, Mr. Magliocchetti founded the PMA Group, which has become one of the most prominent Washington, D.C. defense lobbying firms.  Since the second quarter of 2007 campaign cycle, the PMA Group and ten of the firm?s clients ranked in the top 20 contributors to Rep. Murtha, having made campaign contributions totaling $190,880.  In the 2006, 2004 and 2002 cycles, PMA and its clients have given $274,649, $236,799, $279,074 in contributions respectively.  In turn, many of PMA?s clients have benefitted significantly from Rep. Murtha?s earmarks.  In the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill, Rep. Murtha helped steer at least $100.5 million to PMA clients?up from $95.1 million in the 2006 Defense Appropriations bill.

The City Paper ran a recent story on efforts to wipe out sidewalk food service on the Southside.  I've been following this for several years as we are regular patrons Cambodican Kitchen, home of cat on a stick.  Our buddy Dan has been lobbying tirelessly for the freedom to sell from a grill on his property, but outside of the door -- like the stoop.  While I understand that the locals want the drunks gone, it makes little sense to target food vendors who are sobering them up (before they get behind the wheel).  Why not shut down some of the bars?  From a logistical standpoint, that's probably insane.  But al fresco dining adds a nice touch to an evening on the Southside.  We purposefully go to the Southside to eat at Cambodican versus the bar restaurants.  Then we wander down the streets and spend other monies at the small businesses (or do so before we eat).  This is Councilman Bruce Kraus' baby and while I understand his desire to protect the interests of the business community who have to deal with the post-debauchery trash and debris, it seems like there could be some middle-ground on this issue.  I'd urge the proposal architects to remember that not everyone who patronizes the Southside independent restaurants is a drunken college student.  Bruce Kraus is a bright man and I hope he doesn't see this in black and white terms.  Or has a Plan B if everyone can get to the table together.

I'm not a planner so I don't know what a good solution would be, but there are a lot of codes that could be enforced to address this problem.  The student code of conduct at Duquesne, Pitt and CMU for one.  It would be great if the Provosts would spend some time holding their students acccountable for commiting crimes. On the other hand, I would love if someone started to enforce codes when it comes to the Steeler Nation.  Any code that happens to be violated on the Northside as opposed to the Northshore.  I can dream.  Ah well, we would be very sad if Cambodican and similar businesses closed.  It would be another loss along the line of Tuscany. 

Let me leave you on a positive note.  A Florida Circuit Court said the ban on gay adoption is unconstitutional <Pam's House Blend>.

Some news from our friends at Steel City.  Two ways for you to get involved. A movie night at Cattivo and a Bonfire.  How fun is that!  I haven't done a bonfire in years and years.  Ironically, I was moaning to Lance about the events all being in smoking venues.  Lo and behold, an actual fire turns out to be just what I was looking to attend. 

Movie Night in Lawrenceville

Sept.14^th Movie Night at

Cativo?s, 146 44^th Street

5:30 Free Pizza, Cash Bar and conversation!

6:00 ? 7:45 Movie ? ?Stonewall?  

      Dramatic presentation of the events

      leading up to the Stonewall riots.

      Movie area will be non-smoking. 

8:15 ? Steelers vs. Browns 

FOOD, FUN!

BIG BON FIRE in Shaler

Sun. Oct. 12^th 4:00

ENTERTAINMENT ? Tracy Drach

MEET THE CANDIDATES

OL?FASHIONED  HOT DOG ROAST ! (with Smores)

Map Quest:  1343 Sharps Hill Road, Pgh. 15215 

412-781-8322 Please R.S.V.P.

September 11 marks the date when local business must comply with the anti-smoking ordinance. 

I CAN'T WAIT!  Here's the link to the rules and regs.

I went to the bathroom at my lunch stop today and passed people smoking where the food is prepared.  That is so beyond disgusting.  It was like 80 degrees -- they couldn't go out on the porch, for crying out loud?  I was assured that would stop on Thursday so I'm not naming names.  <shudder>

I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will mean at least one gay-owned non-smoking bar.  The bar issue is tricky.  It appears from the regulations that some of the larger nightclubby places are not going to qualify for an exemption. 

The term ?drinking establishment? does not include a nightclub, which is defined as a public hall or hall for which admission is generally charged and which is primarily or predominately devoted to dancing or to shows or cabarets as opposed to a facility that is primarily a bar, tavern, or dining facility.  The CIAA defines a nightclub as a public place and as a place of employment that must be smoke free.

This could be a win-win.  Those who want to smoke and drink can continue to patronize the bars.  Those who want to smoke and dance and drink can go outside.  Those LIKE ME who might want to dance and drink without inhaling the fumes of a thousand cancer sticks can go to the nightclubs.  So any business lost from the smokers who start haunting the bars will be offset by the non-smokers who flock through the doors.  Right?

This has long range implications.  People in the know have told me that Pittsburgh is in a new era of bar/club resurgence.  They define it by PrideFest ... first it was for the political/activist people (some of who went to bars), then it was for families (think Northshore park) and now it has turned to the bar crowd.  A lot of LGBT organizations hold events in bars. 

The win for everyone is that they can simply alternate between smoking and non-smoking bars, thus eliminating the illusion of the non-smoking section which everyone with asthma knows is ridiculous.

I'll be able to go to Ritter's Diner again.  I'll be able to talk to a bartender without choking.  I won't have to go to Cattivo at 5 PM and hurry home before the grown up lesbians arrive. 

Officially speaking, the exemptions are a bunch of capitulating crap. 

Still, what a great day for Pennsylvania!

Update:  I edited out a sentence that was offensive to someone whom I did not mean to offend. 

I am running out of bakeries to patronize.

First, there was The Priory on the Northside.  I loved their baked goods, but disliked their tactics opposing the drink tax which cost our community an ally.

Today, I did it again when I heard that a gay-owned business, Dozen, was sponsoring a cupcake gorging contest.  Apparently, the owner thought causing people to vomit is a great way to increase sales. 

You know me ... I had to say something. I thought it was a gross idea and potentially harmful to encourage gluttony and over-consumption. Seriously, there's nothing wrong with a cupcake or two.  But the imagery of women shoving dozens of cupcakes into their mouths is revolting.  I hate those segments on the news, especially when followed by a report on the obesity epidemic. 

Dozen's owner was incensed that I had an opinion contrary to his business interest.  Apparently, you aren't allowed to say critical things about gay owned businesses.  I've been through this with local bar owners and I can safely say that they have a much better sense of humor than bakers. 

Here's a brief sample:

This is the kind of slam of my business and of me that I say is over the top and dramatic. As a gay person new to Pittsburgh (only 2 years here, via Chicago) I have never experienced the harsh judgmentalism anywhere else I've lived. In a small city like this, I think it is totally inappropriate and sets a bad example.

Frankly, you should be ashamed of yourself. You might want to stick with your political commentary, which you are very good at, and try to be more supportive of community.

What did I say to provoke such a reaction?  That I might not patronize his business.  That's it.  He said I was being overly dramatic.  A cupcake orgy isn't dramatic?  I mean the next step on the drama continuum would be to come up with a red velvet cupcake spiked with Midol and market it as PMS cure.

Then he said my arrogance was unpalatable -- get it?  That is the best insult ever.  Not even the Christian fundies have zinged me like that.

You obviously think of yourself as the most important person in the LGBT community in Pittsburgh and that everyone follows what you tell them to do. I encourage you to add that into your post and see how the community you seem to rule over responds.

Your arrogance is unpalatable. I've never known someone who thinks they wield so much power over others as you just suggested you do. Frankly, Dozen has seen the success it has because we are very nice to people and refrain from saying bad things about others.

Now I'll admit to being a bit of an elitist and I can condescend with the best of them, but we all know that none of you ever does what I tell you to do.  All I said to James was that rather than engaging me to resolve the difference of opinions, he pissed me off.  Every Business 101 major learns that one angry customer's stories will undo the stories of 20 happy customers.  I was a poli sci major and I know that for crying out loud. 

Since I think being called unpalatable is the best bitchy thing I've heard in months, I'm not even going to comment on the hypocrisy of his last sentence.  Oops.

Seriously, I know this is his living, but any reasonable gay person should resent the implication that we aren't allowed to say anything critical of gay owned businesses .  That's patently absurd.  I'm a big champion of supporting gay owned everything, but that doesn't put them above an honest critique. Dozen works the lesbian market like no other gay owned business in town.  It is a good marketing strategy if you are in the market for cupcakes.  And if you aren't, just hit delete.  But when you wade into a predominantly lesbian venue, you should expect that the mouthy ones are often coming from a feminist perspective (not all of us mind you). 

I know few feminists that would be supportive of an anything-eating contest.  It hits a lot of buttons -- mass consumption, health issues, body image, eating disorders, etc.  I'm just saying you have to take the bad with the good.  If a cupcake eating contest annoys a few lesbians, you'll probably ride it out. 

I did learn that cupcakes are not big in Europe.  Dr. Bozena Zdaniuk, who famously compared the cupcake eating contest to a tequila drinking contest in terms of health impacts, had this to say:

Girl, you made me chuckle!

Thank Goddess I am from Europe. No one over there would touch such a crappy baked concoction as cupcake.

Now this is where you can call me arrogant because of my conceit that everyone loves cupcakes. Right? 

Ledcat tells me that I have to play nice or we aren't going to have anywhere to buy bread.  I've also been arguing with my former veterinarian, the heroin addict across the street and a Libertarian.  Oh, and PennDOT, of course.  Now I need PennDOT's help to deal with the heroin addict so I might have screwed myself.  I'll figure something out.

So, should you go to Dozen?  Sure.  The cupcakes are tasty (sorry, Bozena, but I hate croissants -- all that flaking makes me shudder).  I often implore you to spend your precious disposable income at LGBT owned businesses.  Yes, he did slam Pittsburgh as being judgmental, but he's a little bit right about that ... we are good for excluding people from over the bridge. 

I'd advise you skip the cupcake eating contest, but only because it is kind of gross, not out of any sense of telling you what to do.  Not that you listen to me. 

My coworker took sympathy on me and made up a list of bakeries which I can patronize without compromising my indignant huff.  I sure hope they are palatable!