My Cat Jasmine

About 15 years ago my friend Cindy brought me a cat in a laundry hamper to my house. My boyfriend and I looked at each other like she was crazy. We had two other cats in the house already and no room for a third. In the back of my house behind the pool yard we had a small doll house that the last owners built for their grandchildren, so that's where this cat was placed. On cold nights we wondered how she was doing, and over time we would go out in the middle of the night to check on her.

My friend rescued the cat from her brothers fraternity at Rutgers college in New Jersey. She told us that at every holiday break they would release her from the house to live on her own outside and they never thought she would return. When they came back she was always on the porch and starving. When I got her she was about 4 or 5 years and only 4 pounds. One night we said why don't we bring her in the house its freezing out, so we both went and got her from the doll house.

After months of her living in the house we both came to love her as much as the other two cats. She never got along with the other cats, she tolerated them. At the present she is either 20 or 21 years old, and is ailing. Her kidneys are starting to fail and she is up most of the night looking for water. We started hydrating her on our own after the vet told us how and she is doing OK. Last night we talked about euthanizing her this week and every time the subject comes up, I break down crying. My boyfriend who takes care of animals with such love and care they always come back to life, but I know this is short lived. She is our last surviving cat, the other cats have since passed and we know the house will be very quiet.

I truly love having a pet, but this is the hardest thing about owning one. I know I should be happy I rescued her and saved her life but it brings little or no consolation. I know I must make this difficult choice during the week. I guess I just am not ready to let her go.

New Jersey Civil Unions

I guess I should be happy that civil unions have been granted in New Jersey, but I really feel its still not like having a marriage certificate. My partner and I have been together for 24 years this July. I met him when I was 21 and he was only the third person I ever had a long term relationship with. The first two were short relationships, one for six months and one for one year.
Around 1985 we decided to have a "union". We went to Dignity, mostly catholics who are gay and long for recognized unions. They interviewed us twice and asked questions that were so personal that we wondered what the hell we were doing. This was back in 1985 so I am sure things have changed, or maybe not. We found this Presbyterian minister who would perform our union and he also interviewed us two times but was much more interested in us as a couple then as separate people. The day of our union was really amazing and scary all at the same time. My parents were not invited, but the rest of my family was, so it was a huge secret. Years later i came to regret this and finally told my mom months before she died. she understood that I was trying to protect her, but from what I didn't know.
My friend who was a chef made a beautiful wedding cake and most of my friends wore a tux.
Many of the friends that were there have passed from Aids, so the whole memory seems bitter sweet. I don't think I will have another party but I do think I will have civil union performed with my partner. We talked about having a civil union at our 25 year anniversary. Marriage means that you receive your partners social security benefits, but civil unions don't. I think this is just
a show by the state to say we are offering something to gays and lesbians. One of the main reasons we never adopted is because the laws were so vague protecting either one the participants in a union. It was a big mistake by us, we really wonder what our lives would have been like.
Most of my friends now are not in any relationships, so when I have a situation with mine, I usually don't go to them for advice. I almost feel bad about mentioning anything to them since they are solo, they all think I am so lucky, and I am in may ways.
There is a mayor in Bogota, New Jersey who said he will not perform civil unions even though the law says he should, because of his religious beliefs. Guess what? His mayor ship should be terminated, if he cant perform his duties, get someone else that will. I am so sick of people using their religious beliefs for hatred and bigotry. As a community we have to fight these people all the way out of their jobs. Has he ever heard of separation of church and state? My job here is to see the next generation get their state given rights and I plan to do everything in my power to see that its done. I have had a belly full of these morons!! I know I am not alone.

Linda Evangelista

The Ultimate Model

Israeli and Palestianian

Last week I spoke to my friend Yaron who told me some incredible news, that his new boyfriend is Palestinian.

If you know Yaron as long as I do, you would know that he is not very fond of Arabs. How they met is the weirdest story. On Yarons last trip to Israel to see his family he stayed in a hotel by the airport, this is where he met him, he was a worker in the hotel. He said he felt like he knew him his whole life and even in another lifetime, mind you he does not believe in reincarnation, or is evenly remotely spiritual. His description of him was that he was simplistic and spiritual.

Again this week after spending two weeks in Paris and London together, they are talking about getting apartment in Tel Av iv together. There is no way to get him to come visit NYC, since the Us declines all Arab visas for any reason, my friend has all but gave up on getting him in.

Its sad and amazing how we take traveling for granted living in the USA. My Israeli friends family is trying to warm up to this new guy but it has been difficult. He also sounds like he will be traveling to Tel Av iv for 10 days a month and is getting an apartment there. I think it all sounds exhausting, but when you in love, need I say more, the energy comes from outer space to see each other.

I hope this all works out for them both, but if it doesn't they still will have had a great experience and my friend will have racked up 1000s of fly er miles.

Miami Son

Uncle Joe, yes Thomas, I cant believe it, what Tommy? Tommy, Tommy, what is the matter?
I was ripped off, ripped off!! Where are you? Hello Thomas. I am in Miami for the Superbowl and I went to have some drinks after the beach. I was planning on buying my girl some gifts and getting into some expensive parties, like the Maxim party.
My heart sunk, what an amazing nephew, not just because he is mine, but because he is a great human being. The type of person who is too good, too much heart and will give you not only give you his shirt off his back, but his shoes as well.
How much? How much did you get ripped off? How about seven-grand, O no Tommy.
He started talking in tongues, telling me two stories at the same time. The first he was in a shoe store buying shoes for his girlfriend and his girlfriend had held his money in a beach bag, three credit cards and the roll of cash, wrapped in rubber bands. The second he had the money in his beach trunks and it was pick pocketed or he dropped it.
I honestly don't know what to believe.
How stupid to leave the house with so much cash. Maybe some saw him take out his roll of money, anything is possible.
Maybe the money didn't fall out of pocket, or get lifted,maybe the thief is closer thank he knows.