BLOG 3,000 and Counting.....

Wow, I can't believe I've hit another milestone.  This is my 3000th blog post.  And I want to use it by reflecting on my 1000th post, titled "BLOG 1,000 and Counting.....".  I originally posted this on my old MySpace blog account, and in it I shared some predictions to my readers.  Was I right about any of them????

I wrote the post on December 15, 2007, a year before the 2008 Election.  I was an ardent Hillary Clinton supporter during the primaries, and ended up voting for Barack Obama in November.  I gave an account as to how many justices would be retiring, how it would be harder for us gays if Huckabee or Romney were elected and the importance of the 2008 election.

So without further ado, here is that post...

1,000 BLOGS

and Counting.....

As I embark on another journey to blogland, I hope to accomplish so much more in the coming New Year.  And as we reflect on the past and focus on the journey we have taken together this past year; there's one, very important topic, that will mark my 1,000th celebration.

Throughout the year I have blogged about gay marriage, the environment, health issues, love, politics, religion, how to seduce straight boys , comedy, sports, romance, hot guys and even more hot guys.  The list can go on forever because I pretty much covered everything.  And throughout this journey on MySpace I have met so many unique people who made a difference in my life and have built new friendships along the way.

Gay or Straight - we are all one and the same - people with hearts, a soul and a mind.

After going through all your messages and suggestions - 17 of you brought up the subject of our nation and it's current situation and what I thought of it.  Some of you mentioned Obama, Ron Paul, Rudy Guiliani, Mike Huckabee and Hillary Clinton.  But the most important thing that caught my attention was, "Hey Peter, where do you think you'll be in the next 8 years as a gay man?"  And to tell you the truth, it really scares me.

I'm scared to face reality as we see it today. 

The fact that our world is deteriorating is unimaginable.  But its the fact of knowing that our kids will have to endure the pain and suffering that comes with a dying world that scares me.

The fact that we will see three supreme court justices retiring within the next 8 years is incomprehensible.  I can't imagine a world where every ammendment can be overturned to suit a party.  Or a law made to suit their own needs or beliefs.

The fact that as Republicans and Democrats we cannot resolve the issues that face our nation is unbelievable.  When will there ever be common ground?

In honor of those who read my blogs everyday and to those who sent all your messages requesting I talk about this

Today's 1,000th Blog is about...

...the Upcoming Election

The world we live in today is not an easy one.  Many of you have have read my blogs or heard me talk politics before and I've stated my positions very clear in the past.  But if you're gay and still trying to find yourself, it is very important that you pay attention.  Nothing against my conservative friends, because I have many; but if you vote, please vote for a Democratic candidate.  It is so important that you do, because unfortunately, the way the system works today, for gay people this is the only route we can take.  There are only two Republicans that I can think of that I wouldn't feel uncomfortable with if they became President; and that is Rudy Guiliani and Ron Paul.  They have far more liberal views than the other Republican nominees.

If we elect Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney as our next President, we are in for a world of hurt.  Not only will these two individuals make sure 3 neo-conservatives are elected to the high court, our nation will change dramatically over the next 4 years and beyond.  We are looking at a President far worse than Bush could ever be.
This election is important, if not, the most important election of our time.  Most of us will look back on this election and wonder if our decision was the right one.

Read about your candidates and this election every chance you get.  You may not find politics important, but it is what this nation and this world is based upon.  It is no longer just about religion, it is about our future.

You may find it boring or ridiculous, but what will you do if you get arrested and placed in prison for having sex with your partner?   If the Sodomy Laws were overturned, having sex in the privacy of your own home would be a crime, moreso for the gay man.  And if you're father is a farmer, which mine is.  And he only makes 80,000 a year, he is not allowed any subsidies.  Why?  Oh because they only go to the farmer that makes 600,000 a year.  What ever happened to helping the low-income farmer?

Don't even let me get started on Education.  No Child Left Behind should be scrapped!!!   And you may not realize it, but as I was watching Boston Legal the other day, I learned that we are 2nd to the last in education around the world, with Mexico being the last.

My sister (Democrat turned Republican), says that the only reason I would vote for Hillary or any of the Democratic candidates is because of the gay thing.  And you know what, I'm proud to say that it's all about the gay thing.  Because we would be demoralized in this country if we voted any other way.  I wish that Republicans didn't have such a harsh way of dealing with the gay issues, because I really do like some of them.  But it isn't all about the "gay thing".  It's about so much more.  It's about women's rights, healthcare, the war, our economy, education - the list goes on.

I can list all the issues that affect us and what this election represents, but if I did, this post would be never-ending.  It has been a pleasure blogging throughout this past year and I hope to continue doing it for some time.  Thank you for all your support, friendship and comments and hope that even though we may not agree on certain issues we still understand one thing.

We are all human.

[Why Vote?] [2008 Election - First Time Since 1952]

Vote

- it may be the single, most important thing you will ever do.

 

Thank you for reading my blogs and the many messages you have sent me.  I hope to still be doing this by the time I reach my 2,000th Blog.

-Peter

And that was how I concluded my 1000th blog post. It's crazy how much has changed in the last 5 years, and for the better. There's not enough space on this blog to write how much President Obama has helped Ryan and I over the last 5 years, but suffice it to say, it's overwhelming.  Maybe I'll save that for when he leaves office and Hillary becomes President. :-)

Nobody Forces Us To Eat Anything by Ryan Lopez

So on October, 2011 I offended someone with one of my blog posts, Foods That Will Make You Fat - Issue No. 25.   

I think I gave a pretty decent response, but suffice it to say, I discontinued the series with the hope of bringing it back someday.

But before I bring back the series - my partner, Ryan gave a response I'd like to share with my readers.  I thought it was great.

"nobody forces us to eat anything, unless you consider the peer pressure to 'be with the group and not a hater' when it comes to eating with family, friends or co-workers. Even so, most restaurants will nowadays at least try to offer something healthy to everyone that is knowledgeable about their health and cares to not over indulge.  Still, if I was raised in a family that never ate healthy and this food is all the food that I knew, I might not be aware of what is healthy and what is not. Granted, it's not hard to see how the sh!t on this particular blog, "Foods that will make you fat," will undoubtedly make you fat, but at the same time until people really started saying something about the health concerns that fast food brings with it, these restaurants had no healthy options. If they did they more than likely were not that healthy to begin with. 

My point is this: While there may be some frivolous lawsuits out there, lawyers aren't cheap and time is money, especially when you consider the expensive attorney you'd need to hire to try and take on a fast food corporation as well as the time it'd take for this case to go through the numerous courts just to possibly get anywhere with any results whatsoever. It's not easy to just go and sue and get money. The people that decided to bravely take this journey on are mainly interested in having their message heard and making change. Take the infamous hot coffee incident that, for the most part, everybody has heard of but no one truly knows the details. A woman at McDonald's spills hot coffee on herself, sues because the coffee is too hot, wins and makes money off her own mistake.

Sounds horrible right? 

But what if I told you that the coffee was so hot that it seared the flesh off her bones. When the poor woman got to the hospital the doctors could see the internal muscle and bones inside the two gaping holes in her legs that the hot coffee had made. She needed multiple skin graphs to fix the injury that her insurance wouldn't cover and that she couldn't afford. So she sues McDonald's for two reasons: To not only get the money that she needs to pay back the debt she owes on her surgery, but to also get McDonald's to lower the temperature on their coffee so this suffering could not happen to anyone else. 

While suing McDonald's because you're fat sounds outright ridiculous, it'd help get them to change what they offer so at least there's something somewhat decent to eat there now for all of us health conscious people out there. But what about those that aren't and all they can afford to feed themselves, as well as their children, is a quick fast food meal? At least those places now give not only alternate food options but possibly what their food products now contain regarding calories and grams of fat. They didn't do this on their own. Somebody had to have the bravery to stand up to them and say something. So next time you may thing about criticizing the "lazy, good for nothing" plaintiff that's suing somebody, or consider standing up and applauding tort reform (lawsuit reform) please check out the documentary, "Hot Coffee". Yes, a plug at this point doesn't sound too good, but it really opened my eyes to what's happening to the courts in our country and how it doesn't look too good for our future unless we stand up and say something right now. Change does not happen by itself, it takes people to make it happen, as well as a whole lot of bitching. I appreciate what these people have done for us, and we all owe them a big thank you. I won't forget it, will you?" 

- Ryan Joseph Lopez

Cocina De Don Pedro: El Cook Book

It's official.  I have finally started my Cocina De Don Pedro: El Cook Book blog.  It's a work in progress so you'll have to be patient with me. LOL.  I used the same template as my BLADE 7184 blog so that the transition from one blog to the other could be consistent.

I have transferred all the recipes I recently posted on BLADE 7184, along with an old recipe from 2011.  I am also working on a recipe index, where you'll be able to search by a few ingredients or recipe names.

El Cook Book's header consists of an Owl with a Chef's hat, donning an apron and holding a forked sausage.  It's quite humorous.  I have also added a quote very dear to my heart - a dedication to my mother.

I will be placing a "Cocina De Don Pedro: El Cook Book" logo on BLADE 7184, and it is currently accessible by clicking on the tab in this blog's header.

Thank you all for putting up with my ridiculous blogging on BLADE 7184, and hope you enjoy my Cook Book blog as well.  Please feel free to contact me at cocinadedonpedro@gmail with any questions or suggestions you may have.
                                        - Peter a.k.a. Don Pedro or Blade7184

Blog Break

Hello, my fellow blog readers!!!

I just wanted to let you know that Ryan and I will be taking a small break from home and work. Yes, even we need a break once in a while.  

Please feel free to check out my previous blogs while I take a much needed rest!!!  I have some of my favorite categories on the left hand side, but you can also search for whatever you like in the search bar, and by date from the drop down list on the right.  

 If you do find me blogging, it will be on a limited basis and only to bitch about something, LOL.

During my break, the song, "Someone Like You" by Adele will be on autoplay, feel free to stop it if you wish to browse through my blogs.

 Should be back Monday or Tuesday, Nov 14-15th.

- Peter aka BLADE 7184

Discovering The Civil War

10/29 Update:

Ryan and I had so much fun at the Civil War exhibit yesterday. Looking at all the historical artifacts was amazing. To imagine that at one time in our nation's history people used what they had on display there, was awe-inspiring. From the uniforms worn by soldiers to the headgear and weaponry they used. From personal diaries and drawings to the tools of medicine at the time - all of it was fascinating. Documents upon documents were on display, and witnessing the atrocities that went on with slavery were unimaginable. Visiting the museum was truly a rewarding experience, and it's open until April 2012 for those who wish to visit the exhibit.  Simply click on the pic below or the links provided and you can learn more about the museum and it's exhibits..

Ryan and I will be Discovering The Civil War at the Houston Museum of Natural Science today, so I won't be around to blog;  But I look forward to getting back to my readers as soon as the time permits.  Enjoy this extremely gorgeous day!

My Blog Is Back!

For those who are not aware, my blog gets about 650 views a day, which is not bad, considering I've been online for only 4-1/2 months. And even though I'm not a great writer, I do enjoy writing. I do it to share my thoughts and opinions; the mere joy, and happiness it gives me is refreshing.

But.... 

I about lost it yesterday evening when I logged on, every post I'd written over the past two days were missing.  I normally write posts a day or two in advance so that when the next day arrives they automatically post at specific times throughout the day.  So those I wrote for Friday, the 13th are also missing.  Blogger states they will restore them slowly, but who knows. Here is there reasoning behind it...

What a frustrating day. We’re very sorry that you’ve been unable to publish to Blogger for the past 20.5 hours. We’re nearly back to normal — you can publish again, and in the coming hours posts and comments that were temporarily removed should be restored.  Thank you for your patience while we fix this situation.  We use Blogger for our own blogs, so we’ve also felt your pain.

Here’s what happened: during scheduled maintenance work Wednesday night, we experienced some data corruption that impacted Blogger’s behavior. Since then, bloggers and readers may have experienced a variety of anomalies including intermittent outages, disappearing posts, and arriving at unintended blogs or error pages. A small subset of Blogger users (we estimate 0.16%) may have encountered additional problems specific to their accounts. Yesterday we returned Blogger to a pre-maintenance state and placed the service in read-only mode while we worked on restoring all content: that’s why you haven’t been able to publish.  We rolled back to a version of Blogger as of Wednesday May 11th, so your posts since then were temporarily removed. Those are the posts that we’re in the progress of restoring.

Again, we are very sorry for the impact to our authors and readers.  We try hard to ensure Blogger is always available for you to share your thoughts and opinions with the world, and we’ll do our best to prevent this from happening again.

Posted by Eddie Kessler, Tech Lead/Manager, Blogger"

I've heard other members say that BLOGGER is still the best service out there, and that communication yesterday was mediocre at best. But I'm hoping better communication will be made in the next several months and years, because it takes a lot of time and effort to write these posts; for some folks - it's their job.  I don't advertise on my blogs, so it doesn't affect me as much, but it does sadden me when I can't see my work.

Thank you for your patience during this downtime.  I will begin blogging new posts within the hour.

Have a great weekend!

Peter 
(Blade 7184)