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Pulling from our Southern Roots, all great places have a name. Tara. Twelve Oaks. Ours is Morgan Terrace. At Morgan Terrace, modern class merges with Tara elegance and uban sophistication. A grand place, it's more than bricks and mortor it's a concept. It's a place where all are welcome. A place where all are equal. And a place where all are respected. Come on in. The door is open.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Granted, Today is Day for Thanks
On Thanksgiving Day in 2001, we sent out the last of what had become an annual Thanksgiving Greeting of Thanks. In hindsight, it just seemed that each year was stagnant, if not worse that the year before. Sure, we've both achieved individual successes of which we are grateful and thankful for through the years. But they were small victories overshadowed by what was becoming a darker, more divided world.
It's hard to believe that for almost a decade now, we've lived in a world dominated by fear that others are out to get us. That, as a society, we must kill others before they kill us. Today, we are most thankful that this world order is rapidly crumbling and fading into our past. We hold out hope that, collectively, we're coming to recognize our greatest power comes from within us, through loving each other. As we reflect on the past year and ponder our future, it appears that what we wrote in 2001 is just as relevant and important today as it was eight years ago.
Granted, Today is Day for Thanks
When you're a gay man, there are certain aspects of life you can't take for granted. Others sometimes do, but we can't.
As a gay man, you can't take your family for granted. So many of our friends have been banished from their homes, cut-off from their family, simply because they are gay. Simply because Mom and Dad don't believe it's right. Simply because their family has become so distracted by living up to the expectations of others, they simply have forgot what it means to be a family, to love unconditionally, and to accept what you cannot change.
You can't take your friends for granted. People you connect with deeply are so rare. When you do come across a person who touches you, life moves at such a quick pace, we've come to learn you must work hard to keep them because tomorrow, they may not be there.
You can't take health insurance for granted. Or right of survivorship, or housing or employment for that matter. Any of these can be taken away from you without notice, or denied simply because you're gay. Most people don't know the basic rights we all take for granted that can be denied a man simple because he lives with another man.
You can't take your life for granted. Matthew Shepard. Fred Martinez, Jr. And this week, Aaron Webster. The list of names goes on. It's a list of talented, capable people whose lives have been taken by another so filled with hate, they can rationalize killing another person. Every week of the year, we read of another gay man whose life has been taken in a beating or slaying not because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, but because they were gay.
So on this day, we take a moment as gay men to give thanks. There is plenty for us to be thankful for.
We are thankful for the family we create. We are thankful for all the Moms and Dads out there. Even though you are not our Mom and Dad, your love and acceptance has touched us at the deepest level, and it gives us great comfort to know that we don't just have to rely on our Moms and Dads who brought us into this world. We are thankful for the entire network of Moms and Dads who open their doors and their hearts and welcome us into their lives. And of course, we are thankful for our true families, who are unconditionally supportive.
We are thankful for the friends who stand by us. You are our foundation. You give us strength when we have none. You make us smile when we feel nothing but a frown. The ups are twice as high when you're around, and the downs half as low. We are thankful for all the time you give us, and the moments we share.
We are thankful there are people in our lives who value the contributions of others over what goes on in their personal lives. We are thankful we don't have to live in the constant fear our job will be terminated simply because a superior cannot evaluate our performance, and feels the need to make a statement about their personal prejudices. And we are thankful there are experts who can help us to protect what others naturally have, so that one unfortunate moment will not unravel our lives forever.
We are thankful we have our life and we are able to live our life to the fullest without narrow-mindedness standing in the way. And that we are able to reach out, touch and move others. We are thankful that our life and the way we live it makes a difference in the lives of others.
Because of our families, our friends who are like family, and those around us in our daily lives and interactions, our life can and does make a difference in the world. That might just be what we are most thankful for.
Best,
Timothy State & Anthony Dornacher Labels: news
# posted by Timmy : 8:55 PM
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Saturday, November 08, 2008
An Open Apology to Boomers
This article that showed up in the Salon today captures exactly how I feel, and my overall world view. It's so on target, I'm jealous I didn't write it. Labels: Gen X, Politics, Salon
# posted by Timmy : 9:00 AM
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Living the Obama Rally
Check out our first-hand report of the Grant Park Rally on my blog.
More on the Obama Election Night Rally
Was that Tony on NBC?
Yes, we bumped into Kevin Tibbles moments before he went live, and Tony jumped in the background. And the facial hair? Yeah, that's new, too. Tim was busy snapping photos.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Jessica, a.k.a. Little Mary Sunshine, who was able to get us the tickets so that we could tag along as "+1."
 Labels: Chicago, Chicagoist, Civic, Grant Park, Happenings, In The News, news, Obama, Politics
# posted by Timmy : 7:24 AM
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Monday, November 03, 2008
 Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather Tuesday night in Chicago's lakefront Grant Park, where Senator Barack Obama will speak from a stage facing the skyline. And we have tickets for the ticketed event in Hutchinson Field. We'll have our cameras and cell phones in hand, and will be “live blogging” via Twitter. You'll be able to follow-along on our Twitter pages:
What is the Barack Obama Rally?
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a service that allows people to stay in touch through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. Registered users of Twitter can "follow" us to have messages pushed to your own Twitter page, or even as a text message on your cell phone. Check out Twitter now. Labels: news
# posted by Timmy : 6:21 PM
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Monday, September 08, 2008
"Weenie Scallopini" to be Published in Anthology
Timothy State's recently completed short story, "Weenie Scallopini" will be published in Nine Hundered & Sixty-Nine: West Hollywood Stories, set for release on Tuesday, September 23 in time for the book's debut at the West Hollywood Bookfair on Sunday, September 28.
Nine Hundered & Sixty-Nine is edited by Steven Soucy with an introduction by Patricia Nell Warren, New York Times best-selling author of The Front Runner. Fourteen stories make up the collection, which explores the unique culture of West Hollywood from a variety of perspectives.
"Weenie Scallopini" shares pages with the stories of other award-winning and celebrated authors like Felice Picano, Jameson Currier, and Shaun Levin.
The book will be available for purchase on-line later this month.
About "Weenie Scallopini"
When a male couple relocates from Des Moines to the gay capitol of West Hollywood, they're in for a bit of culture shock. Joe acclimates into a world of protein shakes, gym schedules, and elite social circles like a pro. While his partner Frank flamboyantly expresses his love through the art of the casserole.
When the two host a dinner party to meet new friends, Joe is embarrassed by their Midwestern roots, leaving Frank confused and wondering who has the better recipe for life.
Excerpt from "Weenie Scallopini"
"Ta-da!"
Frank emerged from the kitchen in oven mitts. He carried a large casserole dish, flashing it at an angle.
It was bubbling hot; the cheese had formed a black crust covering the top. Little hot dog bits swam amongst sliced celery, onions, and potatoes in a creamy sea of mushroom soup. He set it down on a hot pad at the end of the table, before a circle of silent gay men.
"This is really hot, so you're going to have to pass your plates."
David broke the silence. "Is there any, umm, salad?"
"Oh, yes, here." Frank scooped red beet salad onto David’s plate. "It's my grandma's recipe."
"Is there anything leafy without a cream base?"
Frank looked at Joe, who merely shrugged.
"Zucchini fritter?" Frank handed him a serving dish.
"Sorry, fried."
Frank had never had a guest refuse a dish back in Des Moines, or at least so overtly.
David thumped his abs. "Carbs are the enemy."
"I've been trying to tell Frank that ever since we moved. But he loves his casseroles. He's slowly killing me with cream of mushroom soup."
Frank glared at Joe, confused.
"I haven't had a casserole in years. Come to think of it, the last time was when I went to Kansas City for my grandmother's funeral. The neighbors brought over some mystery casserole topped in shredded potato chips." Labels: Gay, Gay Culture, news, Writing
# posted by Timmy : 7:44 PM
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