Punk Smurf pens a bilingual blog

Is the Sears Tower in Chicago to be painted silver? Sources said the owners are considering an expensive paint job, recladding the tower in silver. Since its opening in 1973, Chicago’s iconic tower and the nation’s tallest building has been adorned in classic black. A brighter look could draw fresh attention to the tower, which has struggled to hold tenants against newer generations of office buildings. Silver could figure into a broader effort to ‘rebrand’ the building and highlight its advances in energy efficiency.

A pink wave will be washing over Canada as students target homophobic bullying in Canada with pink shirts.

Two weeks ago I read that trans people are allowed to serve in the Spanish army (read the article here) and a British trans group is concerned about the ID cards the government proposed a while ago (read that article here).

Plans for a gay and lesbian high school similar to the Harvey Milk school in New York have been shelved for now:

“The Chicago Board of Education was set to vote on the proposal Wednesday, but the educators who had been pushing the plan asked to be taken off the agenda late Tuesday. The school initially was going to be called the School for Social Justice Pride Campus partly focusing on gay issues. But last week, organizers changed the name to the Solidarity Campus and broadened its focus to include all disenfranchised groups of students. As late as Tuesday morning, some advocates were pushing the idea that the change was a good compromise. A few hours later, however, the group told Chicago Public Schools officials it would try to retool its ideas and ask for approval in a year.”

In late October, Chicago mayor Richard Daley spoke out against plans for the school, warning it would “unduly segregate” the students.

This is my last update from the Windy City since I’ll be flying home tonight (not to mention the 3 hours in advance check in…). I just ordered a cab to pick me up later this afternoon; both Mark and Dave have returned to the real world and are at work now. It’s been a crazy fun and hectic week, especially for Dave - unfortunately, his volleyball team didn’t win any medals.

I’m practically done packing and my cab will be here in three hours, so I won’t be going out to Millennium Park anymore I’m saving that for a next time… I said goodbye to Mark & Dave last night, which felt a little odd and sad, and I’m now trying to contain the jittery bugs I get every time I’m about to travel long distance.

Due to circumstances I didn’t meet up with Edgar and Alberto, and Steve and Larry cancelled due to a power cut in St. Louis - so I remained Mark & Dave’s sole guest this weekend. Anyhoo, I enjoyed BBQ food the entire weekend (and had interesting conversations with men at the BBQ yesterday; again, I was the only woman amongst a dozen or so gay men).Dave got tickets to the Gay Games Closing Ceremony from a befriended (lesbian) couple. So Mark and I got to go to the Closing at Wrigley Field after all. For free! WHOA…

There was a stand up comedienne, I think her name was Poppy Champlin (?), and she had me cracking up with a new take on the old U-Haul joke: “You lick, we stick.” (Note to self: do not lick. *LOL*)

The DC Cowboys did their line dancing thing, which went down well with the guys in the stadium The funny thing is I didn’t know what was happening (I forgot all about the binoculars in my backpack) until I heard that guitar theme that was repeated throughout “Brokeback Mountain”. The guys went wild and I was thinking: “Hey, that’s the Brokeback theme.” Mark & Dave persuaded me to have my picture taken with the cowboys (after the Closing was over) which is a very American thing, I suppose.

When a violinist dressed as Abe Lincoln (couldn’t really see whether it was a man or a woman) started the intro to “True colors”  and Cyndi Lauper (dressed as the Statue of Liberty in rainbow colors) walked out onto the field I got goosebumps. I knew then that that was going to be my highlight of the closing - and thankgawd it didn’t last four hours! Cyndi got a standing ovation (rightfully so, because it was a beautiful rendition) and did another song, “Shine”, which I’d never heard before. It was very clear the crowd loved her performance and she’d have gladly sung some more, but she wasn’t allowed to. Check this out.

Finally, the deputy mayor of Cologne, Germany, was there to take over the Gay Games flag: who knows I’m going to see some events in four years, because that city isn’t too far from where I live

I went to a women’s party at Navy Pier after the closing on Saturday. I ogled the eye candy (unfortunately, all taken - of course) and watched the incredibly hot go go dancers. They did some naughty fun things alright! ;p The DJ played a good mix of 80s, R&B and alternative top 40 music - and I spent some time out on the dancefloor shaking my booty… Woo-hoo!

Mark, Dave and I had a quiet night in last night and watched “Mrs. Henderson presents”, which is a wonderful movie. Boy, if I feel as sad as the last time I left Chicago… I had a great time and I can hardly believe it is almost time for me to go. Anyhoo, my tattoo is healing up nicely - and quicker than I anticipated (which is good!) and my mom will be at the airport tomorrow to pick me up I hear it is incredibly hot in the Netherlands now - again. Looks like I’m going from one heat wave to the other - just like last year.

Stay cool!

This is perhaps my last update before flying back to the Netherlands on Monday. So here goes.

There’s been severe thunderstorms and rain showers yesterday and it’s definitely cooled off, thankgawd. And I finally made it to Navy Pier to watch some volleyball matches… Only, when I got there I was in time to see who got the gold medals. Shite! Navy Pier is nice, but there are lots and lots of little kids so for that I hate that place.

Dinner with Stef was nice, and finally meeting her in real life was good! This woman has traveled a lot (outside the US as well) and has interesting stories to tell, too. I took her to Kopi (how come I keep taking people there? They should start giving me a discount or sumthin with all the new customers I’m providing them) and she, too, liked the place and the food If she ever visits the Netherlands again, I’m going to show her around. Oh, that gong in the window? In managed to knock it down! Oops.

We went to Star Gaze after dinner, which is a “pink” bar and there were three female singer/songwriters playing and there were pretty good: Lindsey Hinkle, Stephanie Callahan and Kristi Neumann. Cathey Stamps was their rhythm machine. (Watching them perform and having a good time reminded me of a certain time in my life where I’d go out and play to make a little extra money - and get lots of free drinks. And a couple of phone numbers…) Halfway through their set they each played a cover, but I only recognized two: “I alone” by Live and “Fast car” by Tracy Chapman. Stef was joking about “angry lesbians” and their songs, which I learned is one of the American stereotypes. Thankgawd they weren’t angry. That’d surely would’ve gotten me running out the Star Gaze in no time ;p Another stereotypical lesbionic thing, according to Dave, is any drink with gin… It just so happens that a straight woman taught me to appreciate gin and tonic (really!). And the number one lesbionic sport here is softball, while in the netherlands it’s football (or soccer, if you will). Interesting, eh?

Stef and I sat way in the back (on very comfy stools) and when I needed to go potty I had to walk past the stage. When I got back I spotted a readheaded hottie and we were checking eachother out One of the singers (the cutest of the three) referred to her as the “hot redhead” to go to if you wanted to buy any of their CDs. Sarah Bettens move over!

Some Miller (that’s US beer y’all) representatives were at the bar so all the people could have free beer - as long as they were drinking Miller… Needless to say both Stef and I switched to Miller. “Will hussy for free beer.” *lol* She almost tricked me into dancing on tabletops ;p

The set was ended with Melissa Ferrick’s “Drive”. I couldn’t help but notice it’s a huge hit with a lesbionics (Melissa Ferrick is virtually unknown in the Netherlands), but listening to the lyrics closely, well, they leave nothing to the imagination…

My friend Doug recommended me Reza’s on Clark. I had dinner there last night and I have to say that the food is just wonderful. (Thanks, Doug! Did you go on that swim?) I had lamb chops and dille rice – and the flat bread they serve is really good! And for just a second or so I could’ve sworn I had a “Shane” moment. Now, it could have been because I was having dinner by myself is why that hetero woman looked at me with vague interest, right? (I wish my friend Cecile was there to help me out.)

I finally saw “Gillery’s little secret” (with Annabeth Gish) on LOGO online (somehow my Dutch/European internet connection doesn’t allow me to watch anything on LOGO, which is stupid if you ask me) and I liked it – not because Annabeth’s in it. I liked the short because Gillery’s relationship wasn’t downplayed or portrayed as “alternative”; it was portrayed as “ just another relationship, like any other”. I can see that one being aired on Dutch public TV (Nederland 3..?) Also, I watched BRAVO’s “Work out” with hottie Jackie Warner. She seems like a very nice woman, but I just can get over her girlfriend (what’s with the biting?) who is extremely jealous. And I do mean extremely jealous… Jackie thinks that comes from dating younger women. Say what?! I think this Mimi is either insecure in the relationship or does not trust Jackie. Or both. I don’t know. There’s just way too much drama than I can handle; if I had a girlfriend like Mimi, it would certainly drive me up the wall and I’d walk…

I still haven’t been to the Millenium Park. I wanted to go today, but by the time I exited Navy Pier and walked to the red line “El” stop on Grant, it was starting to rain… I didn’t bring a jacket nor an umbrella, so… I opted to go home. It’s almost 5 pm now and I’m going to meet up with Edgar and Alberto later - I’ve met them here in Chi-town five years ago and I’ve stayed in touch with Edgar ever since. Last time I visited Edgar cooked me a really tasty dinner (isn’t that sweet? I felt so spoilt!) and I can frankly say that it impressed me.

Two friends of Mark and Dave will be staying here, too, this weekend: Steve and Larry. And it looks like we’re going to have a little BBQ tomorrow around noon… I’m not sure if we’re going to the Closing Ceremony of the Gay Games - that’ll start at 3 pm. Ah, we’ll see. I’m enjoying my vacation and I’m not going anywhere. Well, at least until Monday.

TTYL!

Have a seat and get ready for another update from Chi-town aka The Windy City (and I’m not talking gas).

I had yummie chicken gyoza and veggie sushi We had brought a bottle of wine (Indie Cafe is BYO) which reminded me of Lambrusco. That pleasantly surprised Marcella and Dan, two friends who had come along; Marcella’s family lives in the region where that kind of wine is made. It soon became clear that Lambrusco is virtualy unknown in the US…

I watched “Hoodwinked” which I found very entertaining. I liked the squirrel

On my way back to the El (anyone who’s seen ER or Blues Bros. know about the elevated metros) I walked into Chicago’s Tattoo Factory. And before I knew it I was getting tat no. 4. I have to add that getting the inside of my arm tatooed does hurt a great deal more. DANG! I still feel it… It turned out a little larger than I initially wanted, but it turned out great and I am content.

I met up with Stacey, Ann and Hilary yesterday - we all share a love for Strangers in Paradise (a graphic novel) and we met on the SiP forum.

Whoa - I now notice my shirt’s bulged up making it look like I have more than just a pouch… From left ro right: Ann, me, Stacey and Hilary

Prior to meeting I talked to Stacey on the phone, and believe it or not she sounded exactly as I expected. She’s quite a character in real life - and I do mean in it a good way! She’s very funny, she’s smart (Arnold; her job is sorta like yours) and even though she’s a self proclaimed dork I think she’s super cool. She’s also in theatre - as is her s/o Bogan - and from the little that I’ve heard it sure makes my job pale (read: borrrrrrrrring) in comparison.

Ann is sweet and knows a lot of interesting trivial facts (I’m a sucker for that kind of shite). She shared a few of them with us yesterday, and I still remember her Benadryl story. (Cat owners: ask me about it if your kitty has ear mite.) I hope she’ll graduate soon!

Stacey actually filmed me moments before meeting up. Warning: this is the unedited and unrated version! Stacey has the kind of crushing hugs that can do some serious damage. Girl; you should start wrestling! ;p We went for a bite to Kopi on N. Clark St where the food is good and cheap. (I had dinner there with David on Friday night, since Mark doesn’t want to go there with him - Mark thinks it’s too crunchy/granola for his taste). I am so glad both Stacey and Ann like the food - and the place.

When it was time for dessert, we all needed just a split second to pick what we wanted: chocolate fudge cake! It was orgasmicly good… And I think Stacey wanted to take some home to have Bogan sample it Check it out here.

After we finished desserts it was time for us to head out to Albany Park and meet Hilary. Again, Stacey filmed it so you can watch it here. She turns out to be incredibly talented. She showed us some sketches which were all amazing. Just looking at them makes me feel glad I didn’t go to art school - although, on the other hand, I had (I haven’t been drawing/painting/sketching seriously after I finished university) a very different style. I think it’s appropriate to do my Neo imitation here: “Whoa.”

It is all too true that time flies when you’re having fun. I really enjoyed my time with them - even though we are all very different people… There was a lot to take in, and by the time Stacey dropped me off at Mark & Dave’s place I was pooped.

Stay cool!

Is it as swelterlingly hot over there as it is over here? Today temperatures will reach 105 degrees (Fahrenheit) over here, but with the humidity it will feel as if it’s 45 degrees Celsius - trust me: no fun. Mark & Dave are going out in a bit to play some beach volley. Not this little kitty; I’m going to meet up with Stacey – and a couple of other people from the Strangers in Paradise forum – later on and have dinner. Mark keeps saying it’s my booty call everytime she calls the house, but she’s not! She’s just a friend…

The flight into the Chicago was long and tiring. (The guy next to me had stinky feet and I wonder if he’s ever heard of cotton socks…) I’d forgotten how friendly people in Chicago are! So not like people at JFK Airport in New York.

I got “sir”-ed both at the airport and on the plane (no shit). Dave and I sort of analyzed it, because I can’t imagine why people keep mistaking me - especially after I start talking… He thinks that even though my speaking voice is high it still could be a man’s since my pitch might actually be slightly lower than Mark’s. Huh - what? I cannot imagine that for the life of me. Plus if I were a man I would be a very very effimate one (can you spell “nelly”?).

I sorta checked out the neighbourhood on Friday and got my brother Arnold a little present There are really beautiful houses here (or rather: mansions). I saw one that could house my entire family in Indonesia. Yes, it is that big. I also picked up anti-histamine pills at Jewel Osco’s – just in case… I had lunch at Noodle Zone on N. Clark Street. It was yummie and cheap! And the chicken broth actually reminded me of my mom’s at home. And on my way home I almost ran into a group of elderly women. I don’t know whether they were having a field trip or something, but they were moving and shuffling along the sidewalk with their canes. One of them was talking to her lady friend and started gesturing wildly with her stick to point out something and almost poked my eyes out in the process. Good thing I ducked away in time ;p

Mark & Dave keep introducing me to friends (I’m skipping a friend’s BBQ tonight because I’ll be having dinner with Stacey) and I’ve met a couple of very hunky men. Thank gawd I’m not straight; I’d be so in trouble! Unfortunately, apart from a little eye candy, there haven’t been much on the women’s department: no offense, but why are the majority of American lesbians so fat? Don’t they care about their bodies?

Mark & Dave’s friends are all so nice and they seem to like me, too, and I had a blast going out with them after volleyball practice on Friday night - I was the only woman amongst 9 gay man. One of them spoke a fair amount of German! That impressed me alright. Oh, te funny thing is that everytime I get introduced to new folks they all ask me what sports I participate in and I have to tell them I’m just a spectator to the Gay Games ;p

Mark took me to Cafe Too on 4715 N Sheridan Rd for dinner. I like their concept: a part of their proceeds is used to school homeless people to help them get a job and to break their cycles of homelessness. Ok, now on to the opening ceremony last night: it lasted 4 hours and fifteen minutes! I think that’s the longest opening ceremony I’ve ever been to! Goodness. Mark and I were sweating our asses off, waiting for Dave and team Chicago to come out last (nice pun, eh?).

I saw a lot of supposedly famous people (there were a bunch of ‘m that I had never heard of - and I’m pretty much American minded according to some of you, eh?). Megan Mullally was there (that’s Karen from Will & Grace) and what I liked about her was that after she did her thing and had stepped off the stage the took time to shake fans hands and give out autographs! Margaret Cho (a Korean American stand up comedienne) was a riot - loved her! Andy Bell performed two Erasure song: “Victim of love” and “Respect” (DEBS anyone?).

I do have one huge point of critique: all of the speeches and references where (with the exception of mentioning Amelie Mauresmo) very American minded. I dorealize that most of the participants/contestants are from America and Canada, but still the Gay Games should include EVERYONE: gay, straight, abled and disabled from all over the world. I can imagine that some people just didn’t get the speeches - or couldn’t relate to them entirely. Btw who wrote those speeches? Some of them were just horrible and boring. Dave used the phrase “bored to tears”, ha ha ha. He’s a funny guy.

There was only one participant from Uganda who got a very warm welcome, just short from a standing ovation, from everybody at Soldier Field stadium. What guts! And there were three from Indonesia - I am so proud!

I hate to say it, but I think I’m growing milder as I grow older… Just being there with all kinds of people from around the world somehow touched me. I think I actually felt a loving vibe there. And apart from traffic control I didn’t see much of Chicago’s finest. (Unthinkable in the Netherlands if there’s a football game.) Oh, there were people picketing, but I could not care less. I pretty much felt elated throughout the ceremony…

Mark and I visited the Chicago Botanical Garden yesterday and stayed for almost two hours - despite the heat. It was nice, even though the Japanese Garden was a bit of a disappointment. Let’s just say that’s the garden’s a work in progress… On our way to the exit we came across a little chickie bird, who - according to Mark - has probably fallen out of it’s nest and momma bird was nowhere to be seen. It sat very quiet and still in the shade, but I could tell the chickie wasn’t doing fine. I didn’t scamper off as I carefully approached it and I soon found myself giving it some water. It was screaming for it’s momma, but it sure loved the water! A few minutes later it hopped towards my feet to bask in my presence (I am not kidding - I was afraid it might actually start following me home). We left the little birdie and we hope it’s doing better now…

Stay cool!

PS Check this out for an impression of the Gay Games Opening Ceremony