TEN ON TUESDAY

Ten on Tuesday is a feature I run, well, whenever I feel like it. I post ten things on various subjects and invite you -- fellow bloggers and friends -- to post as well on the same topic. This week, I'm feeling a little bit of love for this city we call home, and so...

TEN ON TUESDAY:

Ten Places You Take People When They Come Into Town

1. Any Local Festival -- What else are you going to do with your friends except drink and eat and watch some amazing entertainment?

2. City Parks -- We have a lot of them, and they are, by far, some of the most amazing I have ever been in. Mt. Echo, Mt. Adams, Devue, even Burnet Woods -- all with views and neat little hideaways to enjoy nature amidst the city's sounds.

3. For Chili -- I'm actually a little bit of a Gold Star man, myself, but I've had far more positive reviews with Camp Washington and Skyline.

4. To Newport on the Levee -- You may crucify me now, if you so desire, but it's nice to sit in the Barnes & Noble porch and look at the skyline of the city over the river. That, and a movie is alwasy the safe bet when taking guests out.

5. To the Top of Carew Tower -- Because you kinda have to, don't you? I mean, it's a requirement, to take them to one of the highest points with an observation deck.

6. My House -- But that's a different type of guest.

7. Scenic Home Tour -- Through Northside, Clifton, Avondale, Covington, Over-the-Rhine, and Price Hill. I absolutely love the housing stock, and I think it's something to be adored and amazed at, if only we all were better stewards of our history.

8. Hustler Store -- Preferably in Mason, but that, again, is another type of guest and one that has a great sense of humor. It's part of our culture here, seriously.

9. Purple People Bridge -- If I can manage the time, a trip through Sawyer Point and across the bridge to #5 usually leaves people awe struck.

10. Fountain Square -- Again, because you kinda have to, don't you?

I know, there's probably nothing surprising on the list, but, I'll be honest, I have had a very small circle of existence since I stopped driving and haven't had much opportunity to explore as far afield as I would like.

So, there you go. As always, post your list in the comments, or a link to your own blog post.

TEN ON TUESDAY!

I started this little feature a few weeks ago, but never really followed through with it. Bad, bad blogger. :-)

My intent was to, every Tuesday, list off ten things of any topic and have other bloggers join in the fun and post their own responses. Chalk it up to, "Barry can be really lazy sometimes." :-) But I'm back -- sort of (one more week of school!) -- and here it is! If you want to join in and post your top ten, be my guest and just link it back in the comments section!

Top Ten Things I Want to Do This Summer!

1) Sit by a pool and drink margaritas at least once this summer... preferably far more

2) Buy another fan -- my apartment is hot, folks, and the only one I have is simply circulating air so it doesn't go stale

3) Get my budget together and call these damned creditors, instead of them calling me all the time

4) Go to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botannical Gardens ... I've never been!

5) Start my workout regime, and possibly (possibly?) join up with Cincinnati Losers

6) Throw a really, really kickass party in July (but more on that later)

7) Put together my questions and goals for the second (and final) year of school, making sure I'm ready to learn and accomplish and grow!

8) Complete the task started a year ago when I decided it was time to be clean and happy; god, I can't believe it's been a year since I made that decision

9) Get a tan -- I had one once, and I want it back!

10) Finish up that paper I was writing for publication; I haven't touched it in almost 6 months; it's on the ethics of criminalizing HIV transmission in a free society... it's heady stuff, but I think it's kind of an awesome piece of thinking

What are your plans for summer? Can you believe that it's almost here? WHOOHOO!! It feels like only yesterday we were bemoaning #snOMG. Arguably, I prefer those cold days, even locked in doors, to this heat.

Hm. I thought for sure there would be a bloggie-goal. That's weird.

Soapbox Article and Ten on Tuesday

It's been a great day for the blogosphere, IMHO, despite the awful news out of California. I wanted to highlight a few things that popped up.

Ryan McLendon of Slouching Towards Manhattan posted his newest in a series of articles over at Soapbox Media about the state of queer-ness in Cincinnati. This time around, he writes about one of my favorite events: Guerrilla Queer Bar. From the article:

Reactions to the first Friday events have been mixed but very positive from both the straight and gay communities. Bar owners welcome the addition of 150-200 thirsty patrons they normally would not have through their doors and many straight patrons are even unaware that anything is different. More than an "invasion," the events more than anything else become a "blending" of both straight and gay.

[CGQB Organizer, Ethan] Philbrick recalls a particularly valuable discussion on queer identity in the ladies’ room of the Lodge. According to Philbrick, by the end of the conversation the women he was speaking to him felt comfortable enough to ask a few questions proving that exposure to different ideas and people can breed understanding. This accomplished all while wearing a sequined cocktail dress, no less...

Movements such as the Guerilla Queer Bar help to bring the idea of "other" into the familiar. This exposure to the outside world - straight, gay and everything in between—provides the tools needed to erase the stigmas and bigotry that holds progress back.

Also, QueerCincinnati.com's first weekly TEN ON TUESDAY had a great response today, appearing twice on this blog -- once from me and once from Cody -- and on three other blogs as well! Thanks to the following blogs for their participation and some amazing responses:

Girlfriendology:

1. Girlfriends - Shocking, I know. But I really do find happiness in the female friendships that bless my life. They make life more memorable and fun. And girlfriends make us healthier, less stressed, live longer, feel more beautiful and … drum roll please … HAPPIER. Thanks to all the great women who have inspired, encouraged and supported me in my dream of making the world a better place one friendship at a time.

Stuff Queer People Need to Know:

4.) Vegetable skewers straight off the grill

Big Lug Land:

7) Getting flirted with. It's immensely validating as I still carry around all the insecurities that were cemented into place over 20 years ago. Being found cute or charming goes right to my head like bubbles in champagne. What others take in stride can have me feeling like the most valued man on earth. That keeps my heart open and, much as it hurts, I'm not sure I'd ever want to change it.

Great posts everyone -- thanks so much! I loved reading over your responses; I couldn't help but smile for each and every one!!! Watch for next week's TEN ON TUESDAY!

Ten on Tuesday: Cody's Happiness REVEALED!

If any of you ever want to get into my heart, this is how to do it!

Things that make me happy (in order from greatest to least, so it's easier for you to go through the listand skip over things that you cant do for me...):

1.) SEX. Lots and lots of great sex... I am The Seeker after all...

2.) Cigarettes. I LOOOOOOVE my Camel Filters... Bad habit, but God damnit they're soooooom goooooood! I love them so much my best friend bought me a really cheap carton of them when she was on her chorus trip in Nashville (God love TN and they're cheap tabacco prices! Bible Belt is good for somehting!).

3.) Peanut Butter milkshakes (either my own, or from UDF). They are phenomenal and, after ingesting one, I want to explode because I drink soooooo much.

4.) Skyline cheese coneys, no mustard or onions please. And a Mountian Dew... Yes, if you're reading this and work at Skyline, this is my standard order 100% of the time. It does not deviate. Thank you for your cooperation. (Shout out to Cindi from the Ludlow Skyline who recently had a baby!!! We love you doll! (and your hot young manager with the black and dark-blue striped shirt)

5.) YouTube is my savior. I don't post videos as much as I'd like because my computer and YouTube uploading don't get along. But I always catch the 5awesomegays, 5sortastraightguys, thatgaybunch, and many more (like WhatTheBuckShow, MrEladdy (HOT), DavidsFarm, etc. and Danrambles and Mikiepg84 when they post...). I spend 90% of my time of YouTube...

6.) Beer. Bud Light more specifically (and most foreign dark beers too, to enjoy...). Shit's good and it fucks me up after 4 or 5...

7.) Mountain Dew. This stuff gets its own category! I drink so much of it it's like my blood!

8.) Bagel Bites and Pizza Rolls!!! My college career depends on these 2 foods. Legit...

9.) Road trips to Hamilton driving 90mph with *NSYNC blaring on the radio (what? I'm a '90s child!), Mountain Dew in the cup holder, a cigarette in hand... Then after the *NSYNC we'll play a little bit o' Big n Rich, Garth Brooks, Craig Morgan, and the Dixie Chicks (yes, I'm a hick... I even wear plaid...).

10.) CARS, TRUCKS, BUSES, BOATS, and everything in between!!!

Ten on Tuesday! (On Happiness)

Welcome to QueerCincinnati.com's newest feature -- Ten on Tuesday -- to join our current "WEARING WHAT WEDNESDAY" (which may be expanding, thanks to Juliet) and "STUPID JOKE SATURDAY"! Every week, I (and maybe other contributors to this blog -- maybe? please? -- and maybe other bloggers -- maybe? please?) will creat of ten things of whatever! We'll have a theme every week! This is your opportunity to join in a mini-carnival! If you post something on your blog, put a link in the comments or email me (queercincinnati@gmail.com), or, if you'd like to play along and aren't a blogger, just put your ten in the comment section! I'll cross link any other post I find!

I invite all of you to join in!

This week: Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1) Discovering your coffee card is full and you can get a free coffee at work -- especially when you're short on cash and need a pack of cigarettes!

2) Cool mornings after the rain when nothing is soaked but there's a hint of more to come. Humidity's low, no bugs are out, and the sun is hidden behind the clouds and turning the morning a deep weblink blue.

3) The anticipation before something great.

4) Feeling accomplished after two days of regret and wishing you had done more -- getting shit done.

5) Randomly chancing upon new music you forgot you had downloaded onto your iPod while shuffling through -- and remembering how much you love it!

6) Seeing a janitor at the hospital dance to music on his mp3 player in a hallway he believed was empty, and then him not feeling embarassed or stopping when you walk by.

7) The comfort, and the drama, of good friends, especially when you hatch fancy conspiracies.

8) Having a crush, even if it's completely superficial and you know it'll be gone in a week.

9) Standing alone on the glass walkways at UC's Medical School Building at 3am and belting out showtunes... and feeling infinite.

10) Learning and growing... and knowing that I still have the capacity to do both, after all that has happened. (This is kind of a private shout out -- I know you know who you are!)

What are ten things that make you happy?

Ha -- Apparently I really enjoy alliteration.