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Commitment

I told you so

In 2000, I argued that condensing our understanding of voting patterns into two teams, red or blue, was a big mistake. After watching election results that year, I worried aloud that reductionist approaches would only further the political schism in the U.S. Our electoral decisions, after all, are not football scores. I recall asking you…

January 12, 2021 in Accountability, Commitment, Decisions, How I roll, Politics, Reconciliation, Truth.

Chocolate Carrot Cake

While coming out as gay man 56 years ago is associated with lots of crap that happened back then and regularly since, coming out has never been the source of the crap itself. Coming out actually launched a world of good for me. At age 16, I got honest with my parents in ways that…

October 11, 2020 in Appreciation, Commitment, Decisions, How I roll, Personal History, Perspective, Pride, Social Identity, Truth.

Fruitcake

Blue, green, or brown were okay on Thursdays. But not yellow, red, or orange. Those were fruit colors and spoke volumes about you if you wore them on the wrong day. The thing is, when these rules dominated parts of my life in fourth and fifth grade, there was no one to tell how important…

October 11, 2020 in Appreciation, Commitment, Decisions, How I roll, Personal History, Pride, Religion, Social Identity.

The right time

In the past couple years, I have noticed a shift among some friends when talking about the births of their babies — actually about babies they call theirs, like I call William mine, even though he is Patrick and Jason’s son. These babies are, as often as not, community babies, young people in whom many…

July 28, 2020 in Aging, Commitment, Criticism, Decisions, How I roll, Personal History, Pride, Religion, Social Identity, Wonder.

Getting it right

While shoveling snow from my driveway today, I had plenty of opportunity to reflect. The drive is long and wide and, even though I get it plowed by a service, getting it right can take me an extra hour. When I was about eight years old, I started shoveling snow for neighbors. By that point…

January 18, 2020 in Accountability, Commitment, Dependability, Fear, How I roll, Personal History.

This is dedicated

Just this morning I asked a friend to listen to me for a time, uninterrupted. I needed to feel some things that have been rumbling within for weeks. We’ve been friends for about 25 years. We’ve been listening to each other regularly, taking turns as each other’s peer counselor for a decade or more. I…

December 31, 2019 in Aging, Appreciation, Commitment, Decisions, How I roll, Intimacy, Love, Personal History, Perspective, Wonder.

Right there

On August 21, 1983, Ronald Reagan was in the White House. The idea that The Police were monitoring Every Breath You Take had a very different meaning than it might today. The virus that causes AIDS was just identified, and the average life expectancy post-diagnosis was 18 months. My friends and I were generally operating…

August 21, 2019 in Appreciation, Commitment, Decisions, Fear, HIV/AIDS, Love, Personal History, Wonder.

Dear Gary

I have known for some time now that I am waiting for an apology. Initially, I felt I was being petty – unreasonable, perhaps. But lately I recognize that just because my expectation will not be met, it is not necessarily unreasonable. Perhaps the offender(s) just need some assistance. So, in the spirit of healing,…

July 19, 2019 in Accountability, Commitment, Decisions, How I roll, Passion, Personal History, Perspective, Politics, Reconciliation, Religion, Truth.

Cause for Hope

In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.” ― Barack Obama Many are working to make Chicago a great place to live, learn, and work. Scores upon scores are contributing their time, talent, and treasure to these efforts in their personal and professional lives. The issues at play…

February 19, 2019 in Accountability, Appreciation, Commitment, Dependability, Passion, Personal History, Work.

Art of the Secret Sauce

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird that can not fly.” — Langston Hughes Finding two people who appreciate performance artists on stage and in recording studios and also hold a deep understanding of culture and community is infrequent but not particularly rare. Finding two such men in one…

February 10, 2019 in Accountability, Commitment, Decisions, Dependability, HIV/AIDS, Passion, Personal History, Pride, Wonder.

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Gary at LHS 1971
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Gary at MHS4
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Gary at MHS3 1975
Rose and Paul with Michael Pink, 2014
Rose and Paul with Michael Pink, 2014
Gary rafting 4
Mandy Brenda Gary Chris Everett Leonard Dan 031915
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Paul and Gregg 122014
Julie, Ann, Gary, and Joyce -- teachers in the 1970s
It took the concerted actions of four people to get Paul to a summer event
It took the concerted actions of four people to get Paul to a summer event
Paul and Gary 122014
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Blog Photos

Daffodils 2015
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Gary in London 1976
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Paul Passport to Spain
Paul and Rudy 092013
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Engelman Hall
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Walter c 1933
Julie, Ann, Gary, and Joyce -- teachers in the 1970s
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Kristina and Gary at MAM
Kristina and Gary at MAM
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My mother at 92.
My mother at 92.
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Paul and Gary 122014
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Leora and Walter c 1933 b
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My dad with Tuffy and me in 1949.
My dad with Tuffy and me in 1949.
Sketch for a restaurant mural by Paul Mandracchia
Sketch for a restaurant mural by Paul Mandracchia
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Gary rafting 4
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This painting by Paul Mandracchia is a study for a mural on the ceiling of a child's room.
This painting by Paul Mandracchia is a study for a mural on the ceiling of a child’s room.
Rose and Paul with Michael Pink, 2014
Rose and Paul with Michael Pink, 2014
Our destinies are one.
Our destinies are one.
Paul joking with our friend, Jan
Paul joking with our friend, Jan
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Gary at LHS 1971
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Chris Everett Mandy Brenda 031815 2
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Paul and Jan 2013 b
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Gary 1973 b

Gary Over Time

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Gary with Ann Jo
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Gary 1976
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