Lucky

Brooklyn? What about Boston? After last night's trouncing comeback by the Yankees over Boston, there's one poem they are citing in Boston today, and that, coincidentally, is the only poem I ever memorized: Casey at the Bat By Ernest Lawrence Thayer Taken From the San Francisco Examiner - June 3, 1888 The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day; The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play, And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game. A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that â€â€ We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat." But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake, And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake; So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat; For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat. But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all, And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred, There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third. Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell; It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell; It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat, For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat. There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place; There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat. Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt. Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip. And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped â€â€ "That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said. From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore; "Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand; And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand. With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone; He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on; He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew; But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said "Strike two!" "Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!" But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again. The sneer has fled from Casey's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate; He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate. And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow. Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville â€â€ mighty Casey has struck out. http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/06898..._0689854943.jpg

Marilyn Hacker has a wise and beautiful response to this poem. This is from her 1990 collection, "Going Back to the River." From Orient Point The art of living isn’t hard to muster: Enjoy the hour, not what it might portend. When someone makes you promises, don’t trust her unless they’re in the here and now, and just her willing largesse free-handed to a friend. The art of living isn’t hard to muster: groom the old dog, her coat gets back its luster; take brisk walks so you’re hungry at the end. When someone makes you promises, don’t trust her to know she can afford what they will cost her to keep until they’re kept. Till then, pretend the art of living isn’t hard to muster. Cooking, eating and drinking are a cluster of pleasures. Next time, don’t go round the bend when someone makes you promises. Don’t trust her past where you’d trust yourself, and don’t adjust her words to mean more to you than she’d intend. The art of living isn’t hard to muster. You never had her, so you haven’t lost her like spare house keys. Whatever she opens, when someone makes you promises, don’t. Trust your art; go on living: that’s not hard to muster.

What is it they were having in New Orleans last week? Some kind of paper salesmen convention?

I will be in Montreal for this event and would be happy to finally meet with Oz, Marc Anthony, and others from this forum whom I haven't yet met.

I can see why Marc Antony likes Sao Paolo as I have never seen so many young gay guys anywhere! They are lined up to get into the clubs or just walking in groups on Paulista. Some real cuties!

Just how many Lords of Discipline would take a whack at me? I may be 6, or I may be 60, depending...

Hooville?

Does one have to be a "rice queen" to appreciate these photos? Couldn't you just like cute young men? hehehe...in either case, I like them!

Cooper is indeed an example of the classier guys you can meet from posting in the message forums. I have also met many posters...I would guess as many as 40 of them over the years. There are so many good guys and just a few flakes...and yes, a couple of real phonies! But it's the real world! I am glad for the experience.

Try www/thegayguide.com.ar/tango for gay tango classes. They may know of shows, which I would also be interested in. The guide is full of helpful information on Buenos Aires.

I also oppose public sex, or bathroom sex in public toilets. I agree that there are other ways to get the message across besides a boycott, so let's do them! Ft L guys take the lead!

What are your gay friends in Ft. L doing to get rid of this guy? He's been in office so long that it seems as if the gay community there just doesn't care. Last week a jury of Fort Luaderdale citizens actually convicted a guy for masturbating...in his jail cell! No one could see him except for the sheriff's deputy watching on security camera. Yet they wasted time and money to prosecute him. Sounds like the gay citizens of Fort Lauderdale have been sitting on their haunches, content with the money from gay tourists and not doing much to change the homophobic environment. So why shouldn't we boycott?

Mr. Yankee...your headline is misleading. You haven't even seen the movie! And graffitti is illegal...plain and simple. There may be mitigating circumstances here where the boys were forced to do the vandalism under duress or some other such factor. If necessary, I would volunteer to interrogate them to get at the truth. No means of torture or other Bushism techniques would be used. I would do it the old fashioned way...with a paddle!! Believe me, they would never graffitti again after I am finished with them. They wouldn't need to as I would provide each of them an alternate way to exercise their artistic side. So, Mr. Yankee, my birthday is coming up. Just send me the DVD and I will let you know if the show is, in fact, scorching...or not.

AN LA Times sports writer in the news today: Sports Columnist: 'I Am a Transsexual' Thursday, April 26, 2007 (04-26) 13:43 PDT Los Angeles (AP) -- A veteran sports writer for the Los Angeles Times said in his column Thursday that he is a transsexual. Mike Penner told readers of his struggle to embrace his gender, and said when he returns from vacation in a few weeks he will be known as Christine Daniels. He did not say whether he was having surgery or why he's changing his last name. "I am a transsexual sports writer," Penner wrote. "It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words." The 49-year-old Penner said his brain has been "wired female" and he's tried to fight off the urge to change sexes. He called writing a story about his sexuality the "most frightening of all the towering mountains of fear I somehow had to confront and struggle to scale." "How do you go about sharing your most important truth, one you spent a lifetime trying to keep deeply buried, to a world that has grown familiar and comfortable with your facade?" Penner asked. Penner, who is married to another Los Angeles Times writer, said he started coming out about two months ago by telling his boss, his barber and a soccer teammate, and that he now feels happier and healthier. "Mike Penner has been an exemplary contributor to the Los Angeles Times sports pages for over two decades and today's column is no exception," Randy Harvey, the newspaper's sports editor, said in a statement. "The decision to go public cannot have been an easy one and, while we do not make a habit of commenting on the personal and private lives of our journalists, we do look forward to continuing our relationship into the future." John Amaechi, the first NBA player to publicly come out of the closet as being gay, said he read Penner's column Thursday after returning from a speaking engagement in Berkeley at the University of California. "It's incredibly bold and far more courageous than anything I could have done," said Amaechi, who spent five seasons in the NBA. "I commend him." Penner has spent more than 20 years at the Los Angeles Times and has covered the Olympics, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and has served as the Times' sports media critic. ___

Sorry, Epigonos. It's my fault. Ever since I introduced Oz to the Aneros Helix he hasn't been able to concentrate on the site, Yes, I know he wants you to think it is because the servers are being changed, but that's just for public consumption. Next I hear he and TY are going to get a double Helix so they can squirm together!

Was that garage for sale? Maybe that's where everybody is this weekend...at garage sales. They are sure not at the Pub.

If the price is keeping you from getting the Helix, shop around. I got mine at a garage sale.

Totally Oz has his toys, I have mine. He'll forget all about that Ipod when he finds the REAL Playstation, which is the Aneros Helix. This super stimulating toy is the best of the Next-Gen models and designed for those who like an aggressive experience. It's Saturday night. Where' s your toypen? http://www.malegspot.com/default.php

Well, if it is a "set-up job" then no one should be taking delight in it despite any feelings towards the person arrested. A malfeasance of justice is bad for all of us no matter whom it affects the most directly. Even if not a set-up job, I am disturbed by how quickly we lose the presumption of innocence in these times. Having said all of that, I do understand that these matters notwithstanding many people have negative feelings towards Mr. Forest. And management here has not yet explained that very ODD posting in his defense. Are there separate rules for friends of David?

Good question, Townie.

March launch for Smith £20 note Adam Smith will have a new "see-through" feature! His exciting new look, shown here, will fatten the wallets of Brits everywhere! http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/po...10/img/laun.jpg A £20 note featuring economist Adam Smith will be issued on 13 March, the Bank of England has said. The note will also include a number of new security features designed to tackle counterfeiting. While the Bank has yet to reveal the safety measures, they are thought to include a see through feature and a holographic strip. The current £20 note, which features composer Edward Elgar, will be phased out after the launch of the Adams note. Enhanced security "The introduction of the Adam Smith £20 from 13 March will be a major undertaking for us as the £20 denomination is by far the most common note in circulation," said Andrew Bailey, the Bank's executive director for banking and chief cashier. "This means that the proportion of Adam Smith £20s will gradually increase over time. Smith will gradually replace Elgar on the £20 note "The note's enhanced security features will play a key role in our continuing fight to prevent counterfeiting. Maintaining public confidence in our banknotes is paramount." Bank governor Mervyn King announced in October last year that he had chosen Smith to replace Elgar on the £20 note. The decision is an historic one because the philosopher and economist will become the first Scotsman to appear on a Bank of England note. He is already featured on a Scottish £50 note. Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife - part of Chancellor Gordon Brown's constituency. The economist is most famous for his book the Wealth of Nations, which many regard as almost inventing the concept of competition and market forces.

Congratulations, OZ. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.

I used to stay at the Coffee Boy which had a great bar attached. The owner was pretty cool, or so I thought. He later made several adversaries and I never found out what that was all about. But I met my favorite Thai guy there. He came in as a customer, so I thought he wasn't available, I being new to Thailand. The next night I saw him dancing at another bar. He had already been offed but promised to wait for me the next night. Well, I forgot that you have to make your move without hesitation and while he was performing a sexy dance for me onstage, another customer offed him! So I had to wait yet another night, but it was worth the wait. When I came in I actually heard him telling a customer that he was taken already...hehehe, by me! We saw each other many times over many years.

Ditto to Boston Guy. This dastardly deed is sickening. I hope there is a way to track them down.

I helped him! I am the one who actually spoke to the boy, asked him his name and what he was up to, and introduced him to Towny. The rest of these guys got sudden onset of laryngitis! Scott, were you there this weekend? Sorry if I missed you, I would have said hello!!!!