I’ve been trying to write this for months now, and wanting to do so for even longer. But today – the sixth-month-anniversary of the horrific acts of July 22 – seemed like the right time. We all have our individual stories of what we did that dark day – and since I was not there but lost a great friend that day – my experiences pale in comparison to do those of survivors and relative of the people who were so brutally torn away from us. And still, the grief is always there, for ever and no matter our experiences. So what do say on a day like today? (more…)
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Never Forget
25 DecI approach the end of 2011 with mixed feelings: On the one hand, I can’t wait for it to be over. It’s been a terrible year. I lost one of my best friends in the terror attacks in Oslo this July, and several of my friends are what the media now calls “survivors”. Even for someone like me, who didn’t experience the terror, only the loss and grief that came with it, these last five months have been tough to get through. Late in the year, I also had some health problems that tore my already shaky psychol0gical defenses down further. On the other hand, I’m almost afraid to let go of 2011. (more…)
The Annual Re-Post
7 AugTraditionally, August 7 has been my gayest day of the year. It’s the day I celebrate my anniversary for coming out for the first time, to my father. I will honor the tradition on this my fifth gay anniversary, but I’m not feeling gay today, just incredibly sad. The aftermath of the terror attacks in Norway is just beginning to sink in, and the full consequences will not be clear until much later. It’s is with great sorrow and gratefulness for the inspiration he was for me and so many others, that I dedicate this post to the memory of my great friend Tore Eikeland (1990-2011), who was killed on July 22. One of the last times I met him, we marched together for LGBT rights. Among many, many other things, he made me a prouder gay. (more…)
Resurrecting River Phoenix
30 MayOne day, I must have been around ten years old, my mother came home with a bag full of books that she’d picked up from a sale at a book store. There were two series of books; one about a young guy who always got into trouble when taking care of other people’s pets; and another about two twin brothers in their early teens witch telepathic abilities who solved different kinds of crimes and mysteries. The former was just as bland as it sounds, and didn’t really catch my attention. Looking back, however, I would credit the series about the twin detectives – Amazon tells me the series was simply called the Twin Collection, and written by Adam Mills – for getting me started with reading by myself. Of course, my mom had read for me and my brother when we were kids, but I still felt that these kinds of mystery novels meant I was stepping up my game a little. It wasn’t as old-fashioned as the Hardy boys series, and I immediately connected with how the two protagonists were twins. (more…)
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