New York Reflections - 9-12-11

We saw Priscilla Queen of the Desert on Saturday and the show was great and a lot of fun. It also had some messages for the audience too, including that all of us - gay, straight, and transgender - are all human and need to be treated with respect. Personally, I was touched when at one point when one of the main characters describes his fathering a child as the best mistake he ever made. It's a feeling I have concerning my own children and, despite the pain of all the years in the closet and the often nightmarish aspects of my coming out journey, I'd do it all again in order to have my children. I highly recommend the show for a good time, great music and a message that more in society need to grasp and take to heart - particularly those who claim to be Christian yet act as modern day Pharisees instead.

By all reports, yesterday in New York City was uneventful although lower Manhattan near the World Trade site was a mob scene and the police worked to recommend that people avoid the grid lock. We will try to go to the site this morning, although it will still likely be mobbed. Failing that, we may go to Governor's Island where our traveling companion spent part of his childhood.

Yesterday was a great day as we had brunch with the daughters of two of the boyfriend's clients. They are both bright, beautiful, and great fun. Neither, however, want to move back to Hampton Roads and they exemplify the region's problem of the flight of young educated people to more progressive and dynamic cities. The Christianists who control the Republican Party of Virginia may think they are "saving" the state, but longer term they are killing it economically.

Yesterday evening, we had dinner with my niece who lives here in New York in the East Village and works as a chef. In addition, she is working to launch her own candy and confections line. She is the image of my late sister and I know that my sister would be so very proud of her. We went to a nice restaurant near her apartment and met a cute Canadian working as an waiter and an actor. It was overall a wonderful day and we did our part to boost the city's economy.