Hooray for California!!!

The Supreme Court of the State of California has overturned a ban on gay marriage. Yay!! And just before June, the Big Month For Weddings! The Court said In contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual's sexual orientation -- like a person's race or gender -- does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights. ¡Felicidades to all those who have been waiting for this opportunity!

I Loves Me Some Documentaries!

When the Lovely Mona and I lived in Berkeley, CA (our last home en los Estados Unidos de America) we found a wonderful video rental shop, Movie Image. We didn't go to Blockbuster™ very often, only to rent The Latest Thing. Our favorite place was Movie Image, a store which catalogued most videos by Director (come on, does your local Blockbuster or Video Ave have a Satyajit Ray or Psychotronic film section? I Think Not!). Plus, it was right next to Sun Hong Kong, my favorite Chinese Restaurant (did I tell you my mother was born in Kowloon? Hong Style is my favorite!!!), so we could pick up cool films and some Baked Squid in Spicy Salt and Pepper, plus a seafood chowmein with perfect, Hong Kong style vermicelli (Unfortunately, they've moved to Oakland somewhere, probably around the corner from Matty Boy's Swank Bachelor Pad). Well, boys and girls, let me tell you, ¡¡THERE IS NO SUPER COOL VIDEO STORE LIKE MOVIE IMAGE IN PANAMÁ!! We've been forced to use Blockbuster™, and it has been a bit depressing at times, especially when we read about documentaries which will never, never, NEVER BE SHOWN IN PANAMÁ!! Hell, we had to ask someone to buy a copy of Fahrenheit 9/11 in New York City during a visit and they returned with a pirated copy; at least no one stands up or coughs during it!! So, the Lovely Mona and I were very happy to discover this website, Films For Action, where we can see films like Sicko and Super Size Me!, films which Simply Won't Show Up at the Blockbuster™ in Chanis (or anywhere else in Panamá, for that matter!)!
We highly recommends dis heah website.

For Mad Priest

This is in reference to Mad Priest's DVANT DISCO yesterday.
We played a gig with the Dickies at One Step Beyond in Santa Clara, California waaaaaay back in 1988. It was election night, and that bastid George H.W. Bush was elected presnit. It was a great gig, though! And we all got those buttons.

It Could Be True!

This one IS true!


After watching U.S. news programs on cable last week, I know that this is true, too!


And let's add Chris Rock's latest line: "President Bush has f***ed everything up so much, he’s made it hard for a white man to become president!"

Luz de Mañana Dancers

I tested the motion picture feature of the New Camera last night by filming one of the dances performed by members of Luz de Mañana, our parish youth group. I tried up-loading it but the blogger version wouldn't play. So I uploaded to YouTube; I hope this will work!

I gots no idea what that music is; sounds like it's sung by puppets or elves. The perspective isn't the best, especially with that UTO banner in the way, but this is a test, it is only a test. If it was a real film I would charge you $10.00 to see it.

Choreography is by Lic. Sandra Edwards of la Escuela Dominical de Parroquia Episcopal San Cristóbal.

Yesterday Evening at Parroquia San Cristóbal

Yesterday evening St. Christopher's Episcopal Parish Senior Choir Guild (and friends) held a program entitled: An Evening of Gospel and Praise Today. It was well attended and we really had a wonderful time.

Padre Cáceres gave the invocation, and, it being Pentecost, we really experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit through the music. Our Director of Music and Liturgy, Mr. Percival Thomas, was the Master of Ceremonies and kept things moving along at a good pace. He also led a sing-a-long at the beginning of the program which really helped set the mood for the evening. The performers were: St. Christopher's Episcopal Parish Senior Choir and friends, under the direction of Prof. Reynaldo Taylor; the Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir and Musicians, under the direction of Mr. Winston Douglas; Elder Marcelino Marshall of the Seventh Day Adventist Church; El Gran Combo de San Cristóbal (we had the only encore of the evening!); the Luz de Mañana Dancers (members of the parish youth group); Mrs. Constance Blackman (filling-in for Miss Sadie Taylor, who had a cold AND had to study for mid-terms); and the Lovely Mona on flute and backed-up by Padre on guitar. Mrs. Clara Edwards gave the Welcome, and Mrs. Dolores Scotland gave the Words of Thanks and Appreciation and handed-out the prizes at the end of the program (we always have a tombolo or raffle at these programs; last night people with the word token on their program won prizes). Mr. Percival Thomas was honored by the Choir for all he has done for the musical legacy of Parroquia San Cristóbal. I gave the benediction and we were all out of there by 6:30 p.m.; not a bad way to spend the early evening!

As always, photos follow!

Mr. Thomas leading the Sing-a-long


Everybody singing


Emmanuel Baptist Choir sings along



The Crowd









Obligatory Mrs. Doyle photo



Mrs. Constancia Blackman

The Lovely Mona and Some Guy With A Guitar
photo by Julieta Lavalas



Luz de Mañana Dancers




Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir



El Gran Combo de San Cristóbal



Reynaldo Taylor and Bernie Murray


Rhythm Section Ricardo Staple and Padre Mickey


Elder Marcelino Marshall



Marcelino and El Gran Combo


St. Christopher's Episcopal Parish Senior Choir




Tenors




Mr. Percival Thomas honored by the Choir



Prize winners!



Prof. Marcella Dickens and her granddaughter, Monique (it's quite obvious that they are related!)


The Benediction

Pentecostes en Parroquia Episcopal San Cristóbal

It's Pentecost, and lots of people wore red today. Here are some photos of folks from the 7:30 service at Coffee Hour.


Nice red dresses and hat




Ricky Staple and Olga Morris



Ricky Staple and Martha Olton



Ladies talking



Ernestine Jackman


Padre Cáceres and I baptized five children this morning at the 10:30 am Misa. Here are some photos of the baptism.

Kirsten makes a face



Look at the crowd of parents and God-parents!




Kirsten being baptized



Antonio being baptized



Luther being baptized



Nishelle being baptized (I guess we missed Robert!)


Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the U.S.A. Mother's Day in Panamá is in December, but the mothers of St. Christopher's get mad if I don't wish them "Happy Mother's Day" on U.S. Mother's Day, too. They want TWO Mother's Days!

We have a big program at the parish this afternoon, and we'll be posting photos (probably tomorrow) of the Great Event.

New Camera Test

Yeah, I think that'll work! Tomorrow is a busy day, with Pentecost and the Choir's Program in the afternoon. This new camera can even make motion pictures with sound, so maybe you'll hear some of tomorrow's activities, too!
Thank you all so much for your donations.

Some Fun

from www.engrish.com


Special Mother's Day Photo

"Well, yes, mom; if Raju and Nestor jumped of the cliff I would, too."


No water for me; I'll have a soda, thanks.



The only brand I ever wear

Friday Red Mr. Peanut Bank and Gallito Mescalito Blogging: "Green (Recycled) Version"

Red Mr. Peanut Bank Well, the camera has been liberated and we won't have any new shots until next week, so we're recycling photos tonight. We want to thank everyone for their messages of concern and for the contributions towards purchasing a new camera. You folks are wunnerful, right Gallito Mescalito?



Gallito Mescalito ¿Shriek? ¡Shriek! Shriekity-shriekity-shriek-shriek. ¿Shriek?



Red Mr. Peanut Bank That´s right, Gallito Mescalito! I noticed that, too. In fact, many of the Dance Party Regulars were wondering what Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House had to say about all this. That's why I've invited him to talk with us tonight. Hello, Bunrab. We have some questions for you!
Gallito Mescalito ¡Shriek!
Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House Hello, Red Mr. Peanut Bank; Hola, Gallito Mescalito. I heard you two got to go on vacation with Padre, the Lovely Mona, and Chompita. How'd that go?
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Well, Gallito Mescalito, Mr. Chompy's Chewed-up Squeaky Kitty Toy, Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love and I did go with Padre, the Lovley Mona and your stalker. We were there for a photo shoot, but since the camera was stolen early in the vacation, we didn't have a photo shoot. Actually, we spent the entire time in a plastic bag on a shelf. We weren't removed from isolation until this afternoon. But that's not what we want to talk to you about.
Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House Sorry to hear about the bag. Wadda ya want to talk about?


Red Mr. Peanut Bank Well, today we were surfin' the web and we stopped at the blog of A Certain Priest and read comments from your rabid fans. Some folks here were worried that your popularity may go to your head and that you might leave us. Is that a legitimate worry?



Gallito Mescalito ¿Shriek?




Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House I won't deny that approaches have been made from other blogs desperate for a Popular Friday Feature. Actually, I will speak to the Dance Party Crew in a conference to relieve their fears.

LATER THAT DAY


Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House Hello. Hello! Is this thing on? huge feedback shriek Yikes! Sorry!! Ahem! There are rumours floating about the Dance Party that I am so popular that I will be leaving the Friday Red Mr. Peanut Bank and Gallito Mescalito Blogging feature to star on another blog. Nothing could be farther from the truth; well, that's not true. The statement made on a Fox News special that the speeches of George W. Bush are considered the most eloquent speeches of any president in the history of the U.S.A. is MUCH farther from the truth, but you know what I mean.


Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love Please quit dilly-dallying and get to the point, Bunrab. Are you leaving or not?


Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House Well, Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love, and, may I say, you are looking beautiful tonight, as always. . .
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love, off camera GET TO THE POINT!!!
Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House Well, as that guy in New Zealand or Australia or somewhere in Oceana said, as the Filthiest Toy in the House, I kinda hold the whole thing together, so I can't go; I gotsta stay here for the good of the Feature.



Mr. Chompy's Chewed-up Squeaky Kitty Toy Geez Lou-eze, Bunrab! Ya shun't let the opinions of some guy livin' on the wrong side a da equator fill yer hed wit such nutsy ideas! Youse ain't no moah 'portant den da resa us! An' look at me! I'm pretty doity, too! AND I wuz picked fer da vaycayshun photo shoot, UNLIKE YOO, so maybe I'm da one wut holds it all tuhgedder!




Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House Well, I suppose you have a point; you ARE VERY DIRTY!! But, let's be honest: have you ever read any comments saying "oh, I luvs me dat cat!"? No, only Padre likes you; well, Padre and Chompita; I've noticed that if she isn't gnawing on me she's probably chewing on you. Look everybody, I really don't care one way or the other about this stuff; my main function is really to avoid that damn dog!!! Look at me!!! She's pulled all the stuffing out of my body AND my head!!!! I look anorexic!!



The Telly Tubbies Oh, Bunwab; 'tsokay. 'TSOKAY! BIG HUG!!!!
Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House Sniff, sniff, weep! WEEEP! WAAAIIILLL!!



Mr. Chompy's Chewed-up Squeaky Kitty Toy Cripes! Okay, you holds it all tuhgetha! Yoah da filtiest!!!



Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love Geez! Watta wuss! All this crying and carrying on; you might as well be in seminary or something. You're SOO SENSITIVE!!! Say, I gotta question: is what Leonardo Ricardo is saying about ¡El Penguino! and the Mighty Moose of Vermont true?



The Telly Tubbies It's twu, it's twu, evybuddy noes dat is twu, noes dat is twu!




Bunrab, the Filthiest Toy in the House They are inseparable, But really, who the heck cares? They have found true love, and they really add a lot to our productions.



Everybody Bunrab, we're so glad you're staying! Don't ever leave us!!!



Red Mr. Peanut Bank Well, that's all for tonight folks. Next week we should have all new photos, thanks to your generosity. From what I understand, Padre and the Lovely Mona are off to Panafoto their favorite appliance and electronics store, tomorrow afternoon. So we'll have photos of Pentecost, AND the Very Special Program the Choir of St. Christopher's Episcopal Parish is putting on Sunday Afternoon, which will include the band Padre is in, El Gran Combo de San Cristóbal!
Gallito Mescalito ¡¡SSHHRRRRIIIEEEEKKK!!!!

We're Back!

We're back and we had a wonderful time, except for THE INCIDENT!

The last photos we took were of Señorita Chompita Wiggletail's visit to the beach. She loves to run on the beach and attack the waves. She barks at them and then tries to bite them, ingesting lots of yummy salt water, which works its way through her system on the way home. She also makes some very strange sounds at the beach, sounds I've never heard her make at any other time.

So here are the photos of Chompy and the Lovely Mona frolicking about, without a care in the world, with no idea that very early the next morning Stealie-Boys* would break in and take stuff WHILE CHOMPITA, THE WORLD'S WORST WATCH DOG slept through the whole thing.

The beach




The Pacific Ocean


The Lovely Mona and Chompita frolicking








Running




Attacking the water



Señorita Chompita Wiggletail Contemplates The Immensity Of The Ocean in All Its Wonder, either that or she's waiting for a wave



*Stealie-Boys was the term used for thieves when I was a boy on Okinawa, and is still my favorite.

I made film of these two frolicking, but Blogger is terrible today and I can't seem to up-load the film. I'll try again later today.

Friday Random Top Ten

Ya pushes "shuffle" and ya takes yer chances...

1. Doctor Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business) Aretha Franklin
2. Pouring Water On a Drowning Man Elvis Costello
3. Days That Used To Be Neil Young and Crazy Horse
4. Where's My Snake? Bow Wow Wow
5. Outsider ¡RAMONES!
6. Behind Blue Eyes The Who
7. 36 Inches High Nick Lowe
8. Possession Elvis Costello and the Attractions
9. Missa Sicut Lilium Inter Spinas (Palestrina) The Tallis Scholars
10. Poor Skeleton Steps Out XTC

Well, I must admit that 36 Inches High is one of my favorite Nick Lowe songs. I also loves the Queen of Soul, but I really can't get too excited about this list.

Gotsta go look for photos for tonight's Green (recycled photos) episode of our Ever Popular Friday Feature.