Deepak Oprah or: 'Oh No, She Dit-int!'

The Lizard Queen?

"Uma... Oprah. Oprah... Uma." - David Letterman, hosting the 67th Academy Awards in 1995. 

As reported in several media outlets, while interviewing endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, Oprah Winfrey has supposedly said that atheists don't believe in awe and wonder. And while I and every other Humanist I know would disagree 1000% with that concept, further review of the clip may well belie that claim. 

What the 'lifestyle guru' actually says is that she doesn't believe that an appreciation of and belief in awe and wonder constitute atheism.  OK. Big deal I don't really see the reason for Humanist/Atheist outrage here. In fact, Nyad's logical and well-spoken response is pretty dead-on. 

Can I not believe in a "Creator" and still be 'spiritual?' Odd as it may seem to some, yes. Of course I can. As I often told Mom, one of the laws of physics is that energy and matter can neither be created or destroyed; only transformed. Our 'spirits' (or minds) are the result of the electrical impulses in our brains, which evolved over eons to become modern Homo-Sapiens. Of all of this I am more than certain. Beyond that... there is likely little more. It would be nice to believe in an afterlife, I suppose. I'm sure it gives many people comfort and a way to deal with knowledge of our own mortality. Mom always thought of religion as a 'crutch' for the weak and frightened. And while I would never deny anyone's right to think otherwise, you all know by now that I think so, as well. Among Mom's last wishes was for her body to be donated for research and/or teaching. Her wishes have been honored. A private dinner for family and friends will be held in Mom's memory at a date and place to be determined.

The Cult of Winfrey is no more or less ridiculous than any other, be it religious or momentarily culturally relevant. She didn't actually say what she's been misquoted as saying. And she, like every other human being has the right to do so, is simply expressing her own beliefs. And whether you agree or not, it's no reason to (you should forgive the expression) demonize the woman. Yes, she's promoted her fair share of charlatans; liars and fakirs. She's in the Business of Show, my friends. She doesn't care if you really buy what she's selling. I assure you, she's far more interested in you buying what her advertisers are selling. 

Watch the 'controversial' clip below (via) and decide for yourselves. I'm not afraid to tell you what I do and don't believe. Don't be afraid to disagree. I won't think too much less of you...;)  

Here's the thing: What matters is now. Life live on your own terms but do nothing to harm others. Tell the people you love that you love them as often as you can. Treat everyone... EVERYONE... the same: with compassion, respect and empathy. Laugh often; laugh hardily; laugh loudly! Taste everything you eat or drink. Savor every damned bite of every delicious thing! Don't waste your time or energy on negativity. Take risks. Travel. Meet new people and make new friends. Don't deny yourself, but take care yourself, as well. Move. Dance. Have sex. Act. Write. Create. Make love. Do what brings you you joy. Get everything you can out of every moment you can. It' all we've got, folks. It's all we've got.

More, anon.
Prospero

The Gayest Things You'll See This Week (Oprah Winfrey Edition)

Via

Via Buzzfeed, comes an amusing tweet from Barney Effing Stinson himself, Neil Patrick Harris which read in part:

"...Oprah came over to our house today. I made her pizza."

Honestly, who doesn't love NPH and David Burtka? Handsome, talented and successful, the power couple almost inspired yet another label (it may still happen) but I had a few things to talk about tonight, so it all falls under "The Gayest Thing(s)..."

But back to Harris and Burtka (screw Oprah*). Are there possibly two more appropriate role models for LGBT youth? They have great careers, lots of money and two very photogenic twins. They're the Gay American Dream. And yes, I know not every gay person wants that, just as not every straight person wants it. All I ask is to truly have the right to "...life, liberty and pursuit of happiness." I know I read that somewhere... Anyway, I dare you to come up with a single item that speaks ill of either of them. And neither seems to take what they have for granted. They are both loved by fans, colleagues and friends. There is no dish or dirt; not a single negative thing to be found. How refreshing! Personally, I can't wait for Harris to finally host the Oscars.

Mistie Atkinson, 32 (really?)

This next item (via) isn't very gay at all, but it goes a long way to prove that straight people are often far stranger than anyone I've ever met in the LGBT community (and I've met and known some doozies). Mistie Atkinson (well, there's your problem), 32, of Nice in northern California, was arrested for stalking her estranged 16 year-old son on Facebook and then seducing him! The police report states that they both knew they were biologically related, but it doesn't say if they knew there were mother and son. O.M.G.. EWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! Excuse me... I have to... BRB...

That's better. One always feels better after one has offered a sacrifice to the porcelain god. Honestly though, I'm kind of glad this involved straight people. Look at David and Neil and then look at Mistie. Who looks happier and more well-adjusted to you? I'm just saying. Mistie has been charged with a variety of sexual assault an incest crimes.

And since this post is just all over the place, anyway, here are two music videos; one old and one new.

New, first:. Here is the latest and very gay video from KINGSHIP, 'Wandering Sailor" (may be NSFW, depending on where you work):

Next is something I've been holding on to for quite a while (and honestly, almost forgot about). It's been a while since I first came across this, so I don't remember if the song is any good or not (almost too tired to care, honestly) and I don't really care. (Update: It's a really awful death-metal thing where the lead "singer'' screams indecipherably with his lips on the microphone). I don't even care about any of the band members' sexuality. I just love that every time some one Googles this song, they get directed to me, first:

Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaa!!! My plan for World Domination is working!

More, anon.

Prospero

P.S. - Can you tell I'm in a mood? And can I get some sharks with friggin' lasers on their heads? Is that too much to ask?

*Just kidding, Ms Winfrey. Uh, I mean... Your Highness, uh...Your Majesty, uh...Great and Powerful (and hopefully non-litigious) Supreme Cheerleader for the World. I really do love you, though I hate to admit it publicly.

P