Boiling Frogs

Click on the image above to enlarge!

As far back as the 1800's, scientists conducted experiments on frogs.  They placed them in a pan of cool water.  When the water was heated too quickly the frogs attempted to escape.  When the water heating was reduced to around 0.2°C per minute, the frog was said to remain until dead.  While these finding are wildly contested by modern day scientists, the idea of something or someone becoming accustomed to gradual changes in their environment rings true.  It's how bad and good habits alike are formed.  It's how we become conditioned to the world around us.  If we see something shocking enough, it's no ceases to be shocking.  

In America, apathy and fear are the waters in which we currently boil.  I see it on Facebook.  I see it on the news.  I see it at my local grocery store.  People everywhere are willing to cash in their freedom just as long as they can plan their next meal or Disney vacation.  We are more concerned with a Facebook status than with voting.  We'd rather drink ourselves into a stupor on the weekends than read up about what laws are being passed that may adversely affect us.  Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for having fun and just living life.  I love to have fun.  I just want to make sure that twenty years from now I can still have fun!  One day soon, however, we may all wake up to a world that has been hand-crafted by our apathy and fear.  We are such a distracted nation.  We tell ourselves that it's acceptable that a tiny percentage of people in this country make up the rules for the rest.  We are becoming convinced that terrorism is the perfect excuse to handcuff ourselves and throw away the keys.

I haven't decided whether apathy or fear is more dangerous to American society.  What I can say with certainty is that the combination of the two is perilous.  I could very well be preaching to an empty church.  It seems fewer and fewer people are willing to acknowledge that there is even an issue.  I wonder what it will take to get people to realize something has gone awry?  The possible answers to that question worry me.

The Bottom Line: 
It's been said... If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

A Cog in the Machine

My close personal friend Merriam Webster says that a cog is a tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear.  Metaphorically speaking, being a "cog in the machine" has not been considered a really great thing in the past.  Some have used the term to describe someone who is just an insignificant part of a larger entity...a nobody...a slave...a worker bee.  It was once said that a cog in the machine simply runs around in circles, gets worn out, and is then replaced.  

Aren't we all cogs? 

Kings...Queens...Executives...actors...bankers...Quakers...farmers...landscapers...burger-flippers...travel agents...poop scooper-uppers at the circus...we are ALL part of something larger.  We all perform our function to make something bigger happen.  Who is ever really at the top?  Sure, some of us are bigger cogs than others, but size isn't everything.  That's when it came to me...cogs are getting a bad wrap.   In fact, I think being a cog is the natural order of things.  We are all replaceable.  Every last one of us will "wear out" eventually.  We will all be replaced, displaced, or misplaced at some point in our existence. While we may feel like we are running around in circles and just getting worn out, think of it this way... You may be a cog in the machine but you can always chose the machine.  Our life is what we make it.  The cogs makes life happen all around us.  WE make life happen all around us.  We are all a part of something larger in life.  We all matter. 

The Bottom Line

It really does take all kinds of cogs to make the world turn.  We should all be proud cogs and realize that we can choose what kind of machine we want to be a part of.  That is liberation.  That is freedom. At the end of the day, we are all part of the biggest and most important machine ever made...Life.  Make your circles count.   

In Jesus Name We Pray, Gaymen!

As the first truly Autumn-ish day sweeps over the Dallas area, I am unable to pull myself away from all the Bishop Eddie Long commentary.  Let me start by saying that I understand that the allegations have not been proven true.  Even still, the subject of Pastors, Deacons, and church members getting it on with the same sex is still one that should be discussed.

I read though a brief opinion article by Shayne Lee an African-American professor of sociology at Tulane University.  You can read the article for yourself here.  He seems to focus on race, which I'm sorry to say, is not only a bore, but a cop-out.  As a gay man and former minister of both music and youth, I can assure you I am well aware of the amount of energy that goes into bashing homosexuals from the pulpit to the pew in both "black" churches as well as "white" ones.  I can also tell you that there is more gay sex going on between church members than one might be led to believe and race really doesn't matter.  I've been to all manner of churches in my life.  The White folks are doing it; but as long as you show up for church on time with your wife and kids nobody really talks about it.  The Black folks are doing it on the DL(down-low) and then screaming at the top of their lungs about how gays have a first class non-refundable airline ticket to hell, followed by reservations at Chateau a la Sulfur.  Black...White... Martian...it makes no difference   The church is made up of people.  Some people are gay... therefore, gay people WILL be in your church.  A homo was probably sitting a few rows over checking you out this past Sunday.  LOL

I just wonder how many priests, pastors, deacons, bishops, mega-church maniacs, and closet-case music ministers it will take before people wake up and realize that the church is NOT above it all.  It's the words, thoughts, and actions of men like Ted Haggard and Eddie Long(guilty or not) that disillusion people of faith all over the world.  Alleged men and women of god are preaching hateful messages while secretly "gaying" it up in the sack.  It's really all about realizing that god, whoever that is to you, created us all.  God knows better than anyone what is going on.  You think it may be possible that god loves us all?  I mean really...thousands of years of oppression and hypocrites and scandals and wars...for all that, we are no closer to god than we ever were.   

 The Bottom Line:
Gay St. and Church St. are the same road known by two names.  Stop all the hate and hypocrisy.  It is time the church take a detour to Love Blvd. and for once, live up to god's message of unconditional love.  

A Pledge to American't

I just finished reading the twenty-one page "A Pledge to America".  I have to say, the Republicans have out done themselves this time.  They've found a way to use 7,853 words, 215 paragraphs, and 21 pages to say nothing of substance.  It's a long-winded way to say absolutely nothing.  I will give credit where credit is due. They are masters at being obtuse and blending fear with patriotism.  It is NOT a different approach.  It's not a new way forward.  It's SSDD (same shit different day).  Yes, I said it!  This document, like all it's predecessors, is flagrant and irresponsible in it's claims and scope.

I will give you some quotes that seemed to stand out to me...

"The American people are speaking out, demanding that we realign our country’s compass with its founding principles and apply those principles to solve our common problems for the common good."

They speak of founding principles.  What they aren't admitting is that times change.  These Christian principles that Republicans are so fond of don't all make sense for the society we live in today.  As with the Bible, there are vast differences between Old and New Testaments and even Christians will tell you that we don't live by Old Testament law these days.  So, using "founding principles" would require us to restrict women from voting and enslave all minorities(including the President).  Republicans invoke this term as a way to inspire their base, but you can't pick and chose which "founding principles" you want to use.  Society changes.  Times change.  Understanding evolves.  We know things now that our forefathers did not.  We shouldn't do things a certain way just because it's the way it's always been done.  That's not progress.

"Our plan offers a clear and clearly different approach, one in which the people have the most say and the best ideas trump the most entrenched interests." (No, in fact, the majority of this "pledge" is to simply revert to how things were before Obama.)  (i.e.)...

"...we will roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels..."


"We offer a plan to repeal and replace the government takeover of health care..."


"Congress should move immediately to cancel unspent “stimulus” funds, and block any attempts to extend the timeline for spending “stimulus” funds." (which, by the way, will throw state and local budgets into instant havoc and chaos, resulting it program cut-backs, and lay-offs...which is the exact opposite of job creation)

The other thing I can't stand about this document is that once again, Republicans are trying to capitalize on fear and confusion to win elections.  Just take a look at this ridiculous and illegible chart.

Even blown up to 139%, I am unable to read or make any sense of this chart.  It has no value except providing the Republicans with a way to confuse the readers of this document and add to the fear of the unknown.

The document made statements about protecting our country and our troops, saying...

"When asked to provide our troops with the resources they need, we will do so without delay."


Would these "resources" also include the nearly 13,000 troops discharged under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy?  Not according to most Republicans.  In 2000 and 2001, when our nation needed troops during and after September 11th, more than 2,500 gay and lesbian troops were discharged.  Fast forward to Republicans blocking key votes to repeal the policy.

Additionally, they drone on about reducing red tape while indicating that they want to add more voting processes to an already bloated system of voting on legislation.  (i.e.)...

"If a regulation is so “significant” and costly that it may harm job creation, Congress should vote on it first." - Red Tape


"Hold Weekly Votes on Spending Cuts" - More Red Tape




This "pledge" is PR BS.  There are no concrete solutions for anything and the vast majority of its text is telling us what's wrong with Democrats.  Please don't mistake this as a true way forward.  This is just a different way of saying the same thing the Republicans have said since losing the Presidency.  They continue to say... You should be afraid of change.  You should be afraid of terrorism.  You should be afraid of the economy.  You should be afraid to admit that any major advances in this country take time.  You should be afraid to understand that NOTHING happens over night.  Do you see any trends here?  Shame on the Republican Party for wasting the people's time with vague rhetoric that amounts to trickery, smoke, and mirrors.  There is nothing different here.  I can sum up this entire document it a few short words...

We are Republicans.  We want control back.  We are bitter about losing.  We want you to be afraid.  We don't like change.  We don't think the American people are smart enough to see through BS.  We want to create jobs for lawmakers.  We want you to vote against yourself...your families...your friends...and your interests.

The Bottom Line:  All the documents and press conferences and rallies and town hall meetings and Fox News appearances in the world will NEVER change the fact that it's time to put up or shut up!

Holy Enchiladas Batman!

On a sleepy Saturday night, I found myself in the mood for Mexican food.  My first thought was to visit the Ojeda's just down from my apartment.  The hip and trendy Greg, however, suggested that we go to Frankie's Mexican Cuisine(pictured above), a place frequented by University of Texas at Dallas staff during lunch hour.  Greg then traveled the back roads of Richardson which made me feel like an extra in one of the Batman movies speeding to the bat-cave.  Then, out of nowhere I find myself in the middle of something referred to as Twin Creeks.  I never actually saw a creek, but whatever.  That's typical of Texas...we give the illusion of natural beauty without ever delivering the goods.  I had never seen or heard of this little area of town before.  I suppose it's because my budget has been restricted to value menus for the past several years.  Frankie's has been open for about 5 months now and is by far the best kept secret in the area when it comes to fabulous food and excellent service!

There is a small patio outside and the outward appearance is very ordinary.  As we all know, however, appearances can be deceiving!  Once inside, I was a little shocked at how cozy yet chic everything was.  It's a small place with a big look!  The lighting was low and inviting.  The smell, well...amazing.  It was just a very comfortable place to be.  This comfort was further enhanced by the warm and attentive staff.  The waiters and waitresses were prompt, friendly, and made me feel like I was the only one being served for the day.

The Drinks...
I had a cape cod that could double as premium unleaded.  The amazing thing is, as strong as the drink was, it was still one of the best I've had.  They do offer happy hour but even their normal drink prices are not outrageous.

Then came the entrée...
O....M....G!!!  I ordered something that sounded odd to me at first until I spent more time pondering it.  Brisket Enchiladas but here is the thing...they were corn tortillas filled with mashed potatoes and toped with a brisket that would make you slap your mother square in the face!.   You haven't eaten until you've eaten this dish.  It's ALL I talked about for next several hours, much to Greg's dismay.  I literally didn't shut up about the food until I went to sleep!!!    

Then Dessert...
I had the Sopapilla Bites with vanilla ice cream.  I could have walked out to the parking lot and been robbed at gunpoint and not cared in the slightest after having eaten this dessert!  I've never really cared for Sopapillas.  These, however, were tiny bites of what is either all that is good and kind and heavenly in the universe or all that is evil and terrible and despicable in the universe!  I'm leaning toward the former!

The Bottom Line...
This meal was my Turkish Delight.  I could have stayed in Narnia forever eating this food!  I NEVER write about food.  I don't do food reviews.  This food was so good that I'm still thinking about it 4 days later and planning my next assault on the menu!  If you are in the DFW area, you owe it to yourself to stop by Frankie's.  You will love it!  It's worth every penny and then some!

Frankie's is located at 2701 Custer Pkwy. Suite 807, Richardson TX 75080
Telephone: 972-231-8667
For more information email frankiesmexicancuisine@att.net