MEANDERINGS – by Peter Rocchio

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The Pope is dead – Long Live the Pope!  John Paul II, a church leader with whom I have had some serious disagreements, was truly a great man – one of the true international giants who made a difference in the world.  He’ll be a tough act to follow…..Benedict XVI has his work cut out for him…

Tell me if my observations on the subject of hugging are valid or not.  There seems to be two distinctly different ways to hug – one straight and one gay. On those rare occasions when two straight men come together to hug, there seems to be enough space between their bodies to insert a small child.  And then there is the mandatory two or three hearty slaps on the back – the ‘embrazzo’.  When two gay men hug their bodies definitely come together including an occasional cheek to cheek.  Also with gay men the hug lasts several more seconds than the straight one. It gets complicated when a gay man hugs a straight man …who applies which rules?…

Looking for a restaurant bargain?  These days we all need to know of a place or two where  we can head to when the budget is  tight and we want to spend an evening with friends.  How about Sonny’s Bar-b-que?  That’s right – Sonny’s.  they have  a Feast for Four for $29.95. This includes large bowls of cole slaw, French fries, baked beans, garlic bread and a  substantial platter of chicken, ribs and sliced pork – and get this, it includes your drinks (soft, of course – with re-fills). Definitely  an affordable way to spend time with friends and not break the bank…

Am I the only person for whom the glories of Desperate Housewives is allusive? I see it as a Sex in The City wannabe without the crisp dialogue, smart clothes and hunky guys

…Recently finished reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.  A totally enthralling story set in Afghanistan and following the intertwined lives of two young boys and how circumstances affect them. It is an insight into a world far removed from ours – culturally, religiously as well as geographically...Definitely a worthwhile read…Being gay and a sports fanatic are not incompatible  – it’s as much of who some of us are as being Broadway and movie queens. I am all of the above but even I have been amazed that in the last two years I find myself avidly following NASCAR. I admit that my interest was initiated by the media coverage of the handsome and dimpled Jeff Gordon, his messy divorce, his appearances on Regis’ show and being seen about town (NYC) at the best restaurants , the hottest clubs and always flashing that infectious smile. My poor Bill (not a sports addict) – no sooner does the March Madness end but Major League Baseball starts, the PGA tour gets underway – the NBA playoffs begin and always, NASCAR – pass the popcorn!

Did any of you catch the recent Academy Award winning (Best Foreign Film) film at Enzian  - the Sea Inside?  It’s a Spanish film, with subtitles of course, and well deserving of its’ acclaim.  Not an easy picture to watch however,.  Even though they treated the subject of euthanasia with some degree of humor and much sensitivity.  It is a balanced presentation of the pros and cons of the sensitive subject but challenging nonetheless.  Watching the film you can’t help but ask yourself, “What would I do?” The answer doesn’t come easily…

 Here we go again friends, Gay Days are closing in on us – wow, where did another year go? A good number of large US cities have annual gay events – ranging from the huge Southern Decadence in Sin City,(New Orleans) to the ‘Pride’ parades and a variety of other events but  I speculate that none of the have the size and scope of or own Gay Days – and it continues to get bigger and bigger… I didn’t make the recent concert of the Orlando Gay Chorus but hear tell that as always they hit all the right notes and provided a thoroughly entertaining evening.  I look for the day when OGC is invited to sing with the Orlando Philharmonic.  In many cities throughout America and across Europe, gay choruses perform at events accompanied by symphony orchestras and with super star soloists.  It can happen here – all things in time.

Howe about Elton John?  He’s getting married to his partner of 11 years.  Britain is about to afford Civil Unionized, gay couples the same tax advantages as straight couples – will the colonies ever follow suit?

Oh, by the way, paid my first visit to Pulse the other evening – We just may be growing up after all.  The facility, at South Orange Avenue and Kaley Street is simply gorgeous. And has a bar/room to suit everyone’s taste – well everyone except for those of us still looking for as piano bar.  But, I understand the old Cactus club, about to re-open as Swank will indeed have a piano – here’s hoping…Oh, who was holding court at Pulse but the always effervescent Michael Wanzie? I must be the last person in town to not have seen Michael’s ‘Ladies of Lake Eola’ still packing them in at the PH?  I expect to remedy that shortly.

And so it goes…

Ciao for now!

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