Guess who Annie got to photograph on Thursday?

The perks of my job, I tell ya. Can I photograph her EVERY day?

Josh's newest articles...and accreditation

Check him out...got himself a new press pass for the House and Senate!

Spitzer vows to push N.Y. gay marriage bill
Governor would be nation’s first to introduce same-sex union legislation

(There's another story, but they haven't put it on the web yet. I'll post it when it's available.)

Energy saving tip, in honor of Earth Day

Josh and I try to be conscious about saving energy. Here's a tip so you can easily conserve energy, too.

When you're not using your computer or television, unplug them or turn off the power strip they're attached to. If you don't, these appliances continue to consume a small amount of energy - a small amount that adds up on your electricity bill and in our consumption of fossil fuels. Most people keep these items plugged into power strips, so it's as easy and turning off the power strip when you turn off the appliance. The same goes for cell phone and iPod chargers - these items leach energy when not in use, too, so be sure to either unplug them or turn off the power strip they're attached to.

Josh and I have been doing this for a couple of years, and have noticed a difference in our monthly electric bill.

So save some money and the planet -- turn off your power strips when your electronics aren't in use.

Behaving like children...

It was a delicious weekend.

Josh and I spent most of the day Saturday making reservations for our long-awaited Disney World vacation this fall.

Then we built a fort in the living room.

When I told one of my co-workers we were planning to build a fort over the weekend, he laughed and said, "You guys kill me!" But I think fort-building, while quirky, is something every couple needs to do once in awhile. It's good to go back to those good childhood memories and build something together. We built a really cool fort considering our space and structural limitations - we even incorporated the TV and watched some MST3K in the fort last night. It was fun, even if it was short-lived.

But back to Disney...we're both totally psyched for Disney World. We've been talking about going there together since before we started dating...8 YEARS AGO. So the fact this trip is finally coming to fruition is very exciting. I've never been -- Josh has been twice, the last time being 15 years ago. He can't wait to show me the Haunted Mansion, and I can't wait to dine and shop at all the countries of Epcot. We've got 7 days and 6 nights to enjoy the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Typhoon Lagoon, Pleasure Island, and whatever else Disney has to offer.

So, Disney vets - got any tips? What should we be sure to check out when we're there? Post your thoughts in the comments.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

And here's what I made for dinner last night. Enjoy!

Chicken Tortilla Soup
From Taste of Home's Simple & Delicious

INGREDIENTS
1-1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 corn tortillas (6 inches), cut into 1/2-inch strips

DIRECTIONS

1. Broil chicken 3-4 in. from the heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.
2. In a Dutch oven coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook onion and garlic until tender. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chilies and seasonings. Shred chicken with two forks; add to soup. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, place tortilla strips on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until crisp. Serve with soup. Yield: 8 servings (3 quarts).

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups equals 227 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 39 mg cholesterol, 818 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrate, 8 g fiber, 23 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 very lean meat, 2 starch.

Spicy Meat and Cheese Stromboli

I made this for dinner Friday - it's one of my new favorites.

Monster Snack: Spicy Meat and Cheese Stromboli Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (recommended: Pillsbury brand)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or corn meal
1/4 pound sliced pepperoni, about 24 slices
6 slices provolone, deli sliced
6 slices Italian hot ham
8 slices Genoa salami
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano or Romano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
The Big Dipper: Simple Marinara Dipping Sauce, recipe follows, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Break open the tube of dough and remove it from container. Dust your hands and lightly coat the dough with flour or cornmeal the roll out onto work surface. Stretch out dough, gently spreading out the rectangle shape it has been formed into already. Cut the thin rectangular dough into 4 equal pieces, working across the dough: cut it in half and cut each half in half again. Cover each piece of dough with: 6 slices pepperoni, 1 1/2 slices cheese, 1 1/2 slices hot ham and 2 slices Genoa salami. Roll each piece on an angle from corner to corner making a long roll that is thicker in the middle and thinner on each end. Brush rolls with extra-virgin olive oil then mix sesame seeds, cheese and seasonings in a small cup, sprinkle and pat the mixture into the dough. Bake until evenly golden, 12 to 14 minutes then serve. If desired, serve with Dipping Sauce.


The Big Dipper: Simple Marinara Dipping Sauce:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon anchovy paste, optional but recommended
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper

Heat a small pot over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, pepper flakes and anchovy paste. Cook 2 minutes. Add parsley, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir sauce, bring to a bubble and simmer 5 minutes over low heat then place in small bowl and serve.

Where to shop for dresses for a wedding?

I'm experiencing a bit of frustration today as I begin an initial search for a dress to wear to a wedding this summer...

I've made some initial passes at the web site of Ann Taylor Loft, New York & Company, Kohl's, The Gap, Nordtroms, etc. and have come to the conclusion that if I want a decent, grown-up, wedding-appropriate, solid-colored-but-not-black-or-brown dress, I'm going to have to spend $150 or more. It seems the fashionable dresses now are either very expensive, solid black, or have patterns - and Rob, my shopping buddy who I trust completely, has consistenly slapped my hand away from anything patterened because of my light skin tone - it's too overwhelming.

Anyone know where I can find a nice, solid-colored dress for a reasonable price these days? Luckily I have two months to find something, but I hate leaving this stuff to the last minute.

New articles by Josh

Dems lining up gay support
Clinton, Edwards, Obama identify early backers

N.Y. circumcision plan derided as ‘insane’
African study results don’t apply to gay sex: critics

Montgomery County weighs trans rights bill
Push comes after Maryland lawmakers kill statewide measure

This gave me a laugh on Metro this morning...

"Mechanical Ballet"

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/honda.php

I got this from my friend Susan - all I can say is "Wow." It's a Honda commercial in the UK featuring an elaborate Rube Goldberg device made of Honda parts. It's two takes stitched together with a tiny bit of CGI, but appears like it's all done in one take.

Shameless disco-pop at its finest

You may recall my unabashed love for the Scissor Sisters' unapologetically '70s-style track "I Don't Feel Like Dancin.'" Well, I'm happy to report their blast-from-the-past style is not an isolated phenomenon - now we also have Mika, with his album "Life in Cartoon Motion."

Catchy to the point of near insanity (seriously, I cannot get half the songs out of my head!), this album is also unapologetic in its '70s-flashback-style - from its synth beats to Mika's frequent use of soaring falsetto. At least 75% of the tracks on the album are worth playing over and over (and the complete album is pretty cheap on iTunes) - a rare phenomenon in albums released in the past 20 years.

One track you won't want to miss is "Big Girl (You are Beautiful)" in which Mika sings the praises of women with "curves in all the right places."

Thanks to Marie for alerting me to this fantastic artist!

Josh's newest articles

Showdown with Schwarzenegger
Gay marriage bill advances in California, as D.P. measure clears Washington Senate

Fenty deems HIV/AIDS his 'No. 1 priority'
D.C. mayor promises improved accountability and results

Josh's newest articles

States debating range of gay rights bills
Setbacks in N.M., Hawaii, but N.H. House approves civil unions

Md. gays anxious for marriage ruling
Experts see few clues as to court’s leanings in pending high-profile case

HIV patients, dependants lose free groceries
Baltimore’s Moveable Feast drops 98 clients after funding cut

Josh's newest articles

Sorry it's so late...I was traveling this weekend and again, Josh is too humble to post these himself. ;-)

Gay TV network slams GLAAD awards
Critics say gay media should be honored with mainstream outlets

Gay marriage ban, trans rights bill die in Maryland
A ‘bittersweet’ session for state’s gay residents

Richardson seeks repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Presidential candidate tackles gay issues in HRC speech