If ever there was a reason to upgrade your iPhone to the newest iOS, it surely is the launch of new emoji to use in our everyday texting. I have my favorite emoji to use. The always make the conversation fun, even when you’re pissed. There are so many good ones! You’ve got your basic set of emoji like hearts ❤️💛💚💙💜 and faces 😀😃😄🤣😍😛😒😎😜🤢🤡🤠 to name a few. I use all of them in the course of everyday conversations.
There are times, though, when you can’t find the one you REALLY want, so you have to improvise or combine emoji to bring it on home. So I love it when new emoji launch to make texting even better! Apple just announced that the newest iOS update to iOS 11 will be coming out soon and it will have a bunch of new emoji. Here are a few of my favorites!
I personally can’t wait for the wizards, vampires, and fairies. I also am excited about the dumpling and other food ones. I’m also very interested in the fact that all the new ones come in different sexes (including gender neutral) and skin colors. They’ve really done a great job of being inclusive. Check out the merman/merwoman and all these fun ones below:
And there’s the Stephen Colbert emoji. LOL
So be on the lookout and upgrade when you see them announced so that you van enjoy all the new goodies and you won’t get the black square in your texts because your device can’t see them.See ya round!
Well…I haven’t been in the 220’s for about 10 years. The last time I remember being this light was just after September 11th happened. At that time I was 225…and that was the heaviest I’d ever been. I don’t know how I got to 265 since that time…but for sure it was 1 pound at a time. So, working out and diet always comes down to be the answer. Lord knows I held out for my doctor to give me that secret pill that they hide and never share. It’s cool though…I can own my weight loss. It’s only been 4 months and when I lose 2 more pounds by Sunday (I can sort of tell it’s going to happen) I’ll be at 225 and will have lost 40 pounds. That’s almost 10 pounds a month. How the heck did that happen??
I started thinking last night…what the hell am I gonna do when I get to an ideal weight? Will I have the willpower and courage to maintain it? People have already sort of gotten used to me being lighter and I’m certainly not obsessing over my weight. But I’ve never been able to hold it off for long. But something feels different this time. This feels like a lifestyle change for sure. I’m happy with my health…and am getting better every day. I’ve gone from taking a 300mg blood pressure medication to a 10mg one…my blood pressure is textbook perfect now. I’ll keep you posted on how I continue to do. I appreciate all the love and support during my whiney times and my bitching. I can’t promise I won’t do it again…but at least I’m lighter for getting it all out and getting back on track.
I think I’m beginning to get a little better understanding of what is happening on the planet at this time. All of this talk of gay rights, Christianity and chicken got me so upset over the last week that I seriously began to doubt that we, as a species, would ever really find a way out of this. It felt hopeless. I have never felt the level of despair and hopelessness I’ve felt recently. As bad as it has ever gotten for me and my life, and believe me I’ve had some rotten times mixed into the great stuff, I’ve never ever lost hope that it could get better. Until I saw how people treated each other this past week. The things that were said were hurtful on both sides. All of a sudden you either believed in Jesus Christ and his selected bible passages…or you were a total heathen and deserved death, hatred, or at the very least, to be vilified.
I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life for the most part. I didn’t have the same experience of coming out as a lot of teenagers and others have had. My parents accepted me the minute I told them I was gay. That was at 11 years old. At 9 years old I remember telling my dad that I was different than the other boys. I didn’t know why I was different…I just remember liking my boy friends and loved being with them. My dad and I sat on the floor in my parent’s bedroom and talked about it. He assured me that there was not a thing wrong with my feelings nor about my feeling different. He told me it was normal and that it may change, but not to worry about it…just be myself. Then we listened to music together…Roger Whittaker to be exact. The song I remember from that time is New World in The Morning. The lyrics went like this:
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning.
A new world in the morning so they say.
I, myself don’t talk about a new world in the morning.
A new world in the morning, that’s today.
And I can feel a new tomorrow comin’ on.
And I don’t know why I have to make a song.
Everybody talks a bout a new world in the morning.
New world in the morning takes so long.
I’m very appreciative of my parent’s love and acceptance of me. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t experience that kind of love like I did. Whenever I did experience being called a fag or other hateful words intended to hurt me, I paid no attention. I embraced it for the most part. If you were going to call me fag or gay, then I’d be the best fag or gay you’d ever met. It was the ultimate in revenge really. In Junior High and High School I went so far as to wear makeup to school and dress in crazy clothes. Luckily it was the 80’s so you could pretty much get away with crazy stuff like that and everybody thought it was cool….mostly.
So here we are in 2012 and arguments are being started, wires are being crossed and a few people are stirring the pot for whatever reason. It reminded me when I read Plato’s Republic. The metaphor of the cave in particular, I believe, applies to this situation. There are a group of people in a cave. (cave could be interpreted to be life here). The people inside the cave can only look upon the shadows cast upon the wall of the cave before them. Light comes to them from a great fire burning behind them, higher up, and at a distance. Located between this fire and the people of the cave is a road at a higher level along this road a low wall has been built. Here other people have puppets, which they use to cast the shadows upon the cave wall.
These shadows are given names by the people in the cave, and they consider them to be real things. However anyone outside of the cave in the bright sunlight would no longer see the shadows (or be under the illusion manifested by the puppet show). The people inside the cave cannot stand the bright light of the sun outside, and so always avert their eyes back to the shadow wall.
These are the people who seem to be asleep to the spiritual world, dreaming a dream of worldly consciousness, and afraid of waking up. The process of ‘waking up’ or turning away from the obsession with ego, and the mundane awareness, away from the shadows and back toward the light, is Metanoia – the transformation of the mind from that which is worldly to that which is the light of true consciousness.
People, at any time, can choose to not be enamored by the shadows in the cave. The shadows have names…freedom of religion, the right of a business to operate however they want, the right to be married, the fear of God’s wrath when we say we know better than Him. All of this is just a temporary distraction from what is really going on here…there is a brighter place that we have feared to go to together. There are puppets used as distractions so we stay in the cave. There is fear that you will wake up and stop believing all this. But it’s really hard to save face and change your mind. There is an art to changing your mind. Christian’s can change their mind and stand on higher principals of love and acceptance. But if they did they would have to accept love in all it’s forms. My gay brothers and sisters would have to have a lot of compassion and understanding while we all grew together and come out of this cave. And we’d have to remember that there are going to be those who are SO committed that we stay where we are that they will use any means necessary to keep us there…including dividing us, killing us and separating us inside our communities. If there is a devil…surely this is it.
So what now? We are on the cusp of something big…I can feel it. All the distractions and smokescreens that will be thrown our way cannot take us off course from our journey together. But they will try. Chic Fil A is a distraction/shadow. Sarah Palin eating at their place and flaunting it is a distraction/shadow. Hate groups aren’t anything new…but they are also a distraction. The KKK was a distraction. It’s ALL a distraction. It’s nothing but shadows. So let’s get our head back in the game here and look for a way to bring this together. There is a new world coming…and a new world in the morning, that’s today.
Be kind to each other. For everyone (all of us) is fighting a hard battle.
Thank you dad (and mom) for the inspiration for this. You did a great job with me and I love you for it.
About a week ago I was commenting on some photos on InstaGram. Someone had posted a really horrible comment about gay youth and how they should just go ahead and do everyone a favor and end their lives. They also said some crappy things about the suicide rate rising among gay youths was a good thing, that it was taking care of a problem in society. These comments were coming from another teenage girl. It was hard not to get angry at her. And her friends were equally disgusting. They freely quoted the bible as the justification for their comments and reasoning. My first reaction was to bombard the posting with comments of my own, which a lot of people seemed to be trying to do. But these girls were armed with enough information to hurt others, which is what most people do when they don’t understand something. And most disturbing…they learn this from people in charge. Parents who say things and people from their church who spew hate while preaching love and tolerance. I’m not the first person to post something about this so this isn’t anything new. It feels hopeless to ever try to change their minds or their thinking.
But then I remembered something that I had made a huge difference for me! I remembered that I don’t have any control over their speaking and thinking. I don’t have any power over the adults who will continue to pray for us but spew hateful things while singing hymns. I don’t have any control over any of that. But….I do have control over me.
I don’t believe I was born any certain way. I don’t know if God made me this way. I don’t know if my upbringing, my friends, my baby food, my medicines, my clothes, our financial status when growing up, or having all sisters made me gay. And in the long run, would any of that really matter? Would it really matter if any of that was the source of my sexuality? I love being gay and I thank God every day I got to be the man I am.
So, No. It wouldn’t matter. Because here I am now. Lady Gaga sings Born This Way. I think it’s something bigger than being born this way and so we can’t help it. It’s not our fault…we were born this way. I think Mother Monster actually meant something bigger. (I love you Lady Gaga!!)
10 years ago I actually chose my life. I chose the life I have. I chose to embrace who I knew myself to be and gave my self permission to choose to be gay. That’s right. I said I chose to be gay. I chose everything that is including in that choice. I am responsible for my life and who I am right now. Not the people who think they can pray for me or hope I change or ask God to forgive me for my “ways.”
I remembered this while those little girls where saying what they were saying. I remembered thinking to myself “they don’t have a choice.” They didn’t have a choice to be accepting or not. They are being fed this constant stream of out-dated thinking toward other people. They are baby girls with futures in front of them just like every other child out there. And their future isn’t any less bright than any other child’s future. And our job is to educate them that they have a choice, too. They can choose their life, exactly as it is, and exactly as it isn’t, but they don’t know that! And when you can choose your life this way, you have freedom. You have the freedom to be whomever you want to be or not to be.
So, my response to the InstaGram stream was simple. I hope it makes a difference for anyone out there struggling with this. Being born this way (any way you think you might have been born) plus choosing the life you have, equals amazing power and freedom.
So to all the teens out there struggling or wondering if something is wrong with you….no matter what anyone says….no matter what anyone in charge may say…no matter what your parents say…no matter what your pastor says….no matter what your family says, you are perfect. And you are fabulous in every way. But don’t take my word for it! The best way to find out if this is true is to go live life so fully and fabulously that even the dirt on the street says how fabulous you are!
Go…live life and be fabulous! And choose life every time! If for any reason you, or someone you know, is struggling with their sexuality or thinking they are not worth living life fully, it’s our job to remind them how awesome and amazing they are.
I love you and honor you and wish you nothing but the best in life. You can email me or comment here if you need any help! Click the picture below to be taken to the Born This Way Foundation that Lady Gaga and her mom created or you can go to BornThisWay.org. Thank you for reading and I love you!
I gave up Diet Coke last week. I’ve long heard it was bad for me, etc. I read a lot of web articles and found horrifying things and some not so bad things. Everyone says its bad for you. but people continue to imbibe. I’m not a preachy person (about most things) and I’m not going to start. I don’t really know anything about Diet Coke, other than its been my best friend for a very long time. We’ve woken up together in the morning and watched Good Morning America. We’ve watched movies together. We’ve gone out to eat and always preferred the company of DC rather than DP (you know who you are). And we’ve worked long days and catered events together. But sadly I ha to say goodbye to my dear friend Diet Coke. You told me we were friends to my face, but you were stabbing me in the back while we made the world smile. I even turned my other friends on to you. And you took them and me for granted. I’m not angry you did it. I always knew in the back of my mind we would never work out forever. But it didn’t stop me from trying.
In the past week and a half, I’ve not had any headaches other than minor caffeine struggles in the beginning. Nothing I would want to go through again, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I’ve felt less swollen in my joints. My knees and legs don’t hurt as much. And I’ve grown to like sparkling mineral waters. I’ve been able to sleep a little better. And I’ve gotten more aware of what I’m putting in my body. I’m not perfect with it and I do miss your company. Nothing feels better than eating something salty and chasing it with your sweet burn. But the possible circumstances and unknown-ness of your safety overall were too much of a risk.
So I wish you well Diet Coke. I know lots of people will continue to love and adore you. You’ve gotten me through some good and bad times in my life. But this is where we go our separate ways. Goodbye.
I thought I would share with you my personal mantras for getting in action.
I’ve LONG lived by these, but never found as eloquent a way to share…so here they are:
I’m going to tell you about one of my absolute favorite Apps on my iPad and iPhone. Hell it’s even one of my favorite websites. I can’t think of a single App I read more than this one. I first found it when cruising Apple’s App Store. I really had no intention to buy an App that talks about other Apps. I could read all the reviews and information myself thank you very much! But there was something really special about this App. I went to their website, appadvice.com, and enjoyed the content and the reviews. But I especially loved the App Guides they provided. A lot of Apps in the store don’t give you a detailed enough description to work the app at it’s best. So this was a refreshing change of pace.
The reason why I’m reviewing their App itself is because I think it is invaluable as a resource for your iPad and iPhone. It is so well worth the $1.99 and you’ll save yourself a lot of money buying Apps they recommend and not the one’s the App Store tends to rush out without description.
The first thing is there are two versions of this App. The iPhone version is a streamlined version with tabs on the opening page for you to select through. They include App News, App Guides, Lists, Reviews, New Apps, App Updates, App Sales and, my favorite, Appisodes. Yes…they actually do video versions of their reviews with a really funny and talented host to show you how the apps actually work, or don’t!
The iPad version is my favorite. It’s a beautifully presented format with lots of content, photos, links and videos. It’s mostly the same content, but you can select which iDevice you would like to read more about in the preferences. So if you want to read more about iPhone Apps, that’s cool. Just select that in the preference tab and it will filter your results automatically. One more thing, they actually put on all their reviews if they are for iPhone, iPad, or universal if designed for either one. You’ll enjoy reading all about them.
I don’t work for AppAdvice.com. I would love to because I think it’s such a great resource and what is better than reviewing Apps and telling everyone about the cool things out there?! Nothing that I can think of beats that!!
I know this quote has been made and heard a lot lately, especially since the death of Steve Jobs. But I wanted you to re-read it and think of yourself as one of those crazy ones. One of the ones who sees things differently. One of those who can’t be ignored because they change things. So, please re-read it again for yourself. I did this morning and it was enough to get me out of bed and get me back in action for life today. Hope you find strength in it today as well…
So I made the decision today to go full steam ahead with becoming a developer of sorts. I love technology. I love everything that has to do with my iPhone and every Apple product made. I’ve made a great hobby of sharing with my friends and co-workers how to make life better through a variety of apps and even through coaching of all kinds. I’ve found my niche…and so I’m going to explore it more. I’m not sure where all this will lead me. I feel a little overwhelmed stepping into a world I know only a little of. But I’m excited at the same time. Now isn’t that worth exploring?
My first step today was to actually sign up with Apple as a developer. I paid the fee to step into the world and now I’m here. I don’t pretend to know a lot…I just have the passion to explore and to share. So with that, here’s the first step out into a whole new world. A world where I’ll have to dive in to learn the language. A world where I will share as I go along. Technology, sharing and communicating…my favorite things in the whole world! Welcome, again. Thanks for starting off with me!
I love business. I love seeing what makes business tick. Entrepenuers really inspire me. What it takes to make a business succeed and thrive, no matter what the economic climate, is something to admire. There are so many books out there that tell you what to do, how to do it, why you should do it and how often. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. If only it was that easy to make it happen. What is the difference between those that CAN and those that DO? Is it really a matter of doing the right things or is it something else?
Any business person worth their weight will tell you it’s probably a combination of all of these things. I want to explore this. I am going to look at different ways we are making it work. Some of it will be specific to this economic climate and will have applications as such. A vast majority of it I want to explore will be applicable to any climate.
What if the success of your business was NOT based on the economy. What if your ability to get a good job had NOTHING to do with the job market?
I’m not saying it’s the truth…but we have to start there. We are all given the right to be happy and successful in this life. Don’t you think it’s about time you had that? Well alright.
I’m going to recommend books and blogs and ideas. I’m also going to recommend courses and classes. You don’t have to do anything I recommend. But if you WANT something different in your life…you are going to have to DO something different. More importantly you are going to have to BE someone you’ve never been before.
I also encourage your feedback and progress as we go along. I’m not really interested in your opinion if you aren’t going to do what I recommend. Posting comments just to argue or be right about how hopeless it all is will get you nowhere and and will only keep what you got. There are other blogs for that. This one isn’t it. So here’s to a bright future…
Downtown Harold's Place 