my birthday

Yes, 45 today… It’s amazing how life seems faster every year. I’m back in Los Angeles, and I got all your messages in support, even the curious ones about what happened in the last two months. Lots! After hurrying back to the US to be in support of Q, who seriously sidestepped his career and life… I found myself in a massive dilemma on pretty much all fronts. I signed a lease with the first apartment I looked at in West Hollywood and went to work as a residence Manager in Bel Air for an interior decorator, Michael, and his dog, Jasper. That short employment ended after a very loudmouthed florist, hired to decorate the residence for an HBO “anti-gay discrimination” advertisement launching, gossiped to my new employee about my past participation in porn… Mmmmh, is it not ironic that under such “promotional” circumstances, I was let go…?

It would all have been a quiet ‘exit’ if not a very sneaky CFO had to continue to spread further rumors as if I had anything to hide and he could damage my reputation. It is utterly disappointing that the very gay souls living in my segregated community are often the most evil when abusing others based on their idea of morality and correctness, creating an even more significant gap in a society that is trying to adjust to the liberalism of a world much larger than the US. We are still struggling to comprehend the lack of political compassion, respecting everyone living amongst us without moral judgment or fear that someone else’s “image” could blemish one’s pretense of “normal…” What does it matter in 2008 if someone is gay, obese, short, black, religiously different, or quirky in his privacy as long he is not forcing others to accept his lifestyle? I sat there when being explained, “…it did not work out… it had nothing to do with my person. “Actually, I liked you a lot… The economy and with a new apartment in New York, we don’t need your service…” lies after lies; Imagine what the Labor Department would say to such insult… No need to quarrel; time is more potent than anything I could do in defense. What goes around, comes around.

I received an e-mail from Herb in New York (thank you, my friend) confirming my suspicion that my termination was about my moral past. The e-mail from Los Angeles confirmed: Seemingly last weekend, the forespoken CFO’s gossip machine was the party chat in Hollywood. I’m amused that my termination had something to do with how others perceive my person to be by a naked image, merely contributing to fantasies of hidden private moments. I’m lucky not to be involved further with such seemingly morally better-balanced gay people; I’m embracing that all that is happening is presenting new opportunities.

And they are! I’m in the process of pitching the TCM chef cooking show to television networks. Check this out, and please send it to all your friends and encourage them too to forward the link. I need to get a buzz going… Thank you for supporting me!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vy_KDUPaRSc

My television script, Lagrimas Negras, is currently being cast for a table reading by the end of July. This is a funny production, a Latino cross-over comedy, a mixture of sex in the city and queer as folk with cultural flare. I’m soooo busy.

The TCMchef.com website is being designed by Htun in Singapore, he better be working on it! As soon as the site runs, you can access an excellent database for cooking with herbs and boosting your immune system with easy-to-prepare recipes. The TCM cookbook is ready for presentation, and a few days ago, a PR guy joined the team, getting us promoted for a beautiful adventure into the new seasons. Mom has been in great support recently, giving me the financial security to proceed with my dreams; thank you!

I’m still in contact with my old staff in Indonesia, receiving daily text messages and updates about the activities in north Sulawesi. I’m wishing you all a most relaxing summer vacation, and thank you for the many e-mails I received worldwide.

Raphael