My journal entries to this point have been kept light and thought provoking but recently I have been watching events as they unfold in Israel and I am sickened and saddened by what I have seen. I’m sure that I may be scolded by some of my Jewish friends but I can not wrap my mind around the logic that the Israeli government went through when they decided to deploy military action against the Palestinians. Let’s think about it. The Palestinians are already disenfranchised and pissed off because they don’t have their own country. Every Arab country around Israel is sympathetic with the Palestinian situation. It would seem to me that Israel would do everything in their power to NOT deploy troops. Unfortunately that has not been the case.

From Prime Minister Sharon’s logic they deployed troops to stop the terrorist attacks and to eliminate the terrorist cells. Did he not take into consideration that his actions would not stop the terrorist attacks but inflame them? Did he not think that those Arab countries that began to acknowledge the Israeli state are now even more sympathetic with the Palestinian situation and will speak their sympathies to their citizens? This simply adds fuel to the fire. Let’s not forget the terrorist states of Iraq, Iran, and Libya. It is my belief that Israel (regardless of their intention) has put themselves into a precarious state and it will be difficult to turn back from an increasingly degrading situation. I am truly saddened by all the death that has occurred on both sides and I pray that this situation can be resolved before it escalates beyond either of their control. Unfortunately, I think this may have already happened.

Well gang, I just had my first interview this year. I really didn’t go in expecting much and a good thing I didn’t. First of all why is it that the interviewer feels they have to talk ad infinitum about EVERYTHING! Being a good little interviewee I had already done my preliminary research about the company. But the interviewer felt it necessary to go into specific details about the company (and the personnel). I also noticed she left out a couple of specific duties from the job description like helpdesk support. Basically taking calls from bitchy users. I’ve said it before and I will say it again. I give all props to HD agents. They get calls from the nastiest people but I wouldn’t wish that job on a dog!

The other thing that annoyed me about this interviewer was when she asked me this VERY general troubleshooting question which had several correct answers. I gave her my correct answer but it wasn’t the answer she wanted. Well slap my ass and call me Bertha! I could also tell it was a Mickey Mouse operation. I would be the one to come in and just want to clean house if I were the manager but in this position I wouldn’t be the manager. She is the manager and honestly, she would be the first one to go!

Wow, when it rains it pours! I haven't had a call back from a recruiter in months and now I¡¦ve been getting about 2 a week for the past couple of weeks. I even have two interviews lined up! I have one this afternoon and another one on Monday. How cool is that? I have everything all planned out the moment I get a (decent) job. I will tell my prospective employer that I can not start for two weeks. I will then immediately buy a ticket to San Diego, CA. I¡¦ve been promising my best friend Shawn that I would visit him. He recently lost his job also. :-( Everyone is getting the shaft these days. Hello Arthur Anderson employees. I feel your plight!

The next thing I will do is have a celebration, a little party at my favorite watering hole to mark my deliverance from poverty. Last but not least, I plan on a little shopping spree. There¡¦s nothing sadder than a queen whose spending habits have been curtailed. I need new clothes, new dishes and other new miscellaneous items that will be named once I see them in the store. You know how it is. You don¡¦t know you need it until you have it. That¡¦s me! So everyone wish me luck. If I have to be unemployed much longer I will be getting a LINK card and applying for that government cheese!

Sometimes my dad scares me with the things that seem to fall out of his mouth. When most people talk the words float on air and into the recipient’s ear. My dad’s words have a tendency to fall on the ground and produce shockwaves for about a mile. When I was over to my folks’ house for Easter my dad related his concern about one of my uncles and how he wished my uncle would go to church. I became really curious where his line of reasoning would take us regarding my uncle. My dad said, “He should go to church or he is going to hell.” Even Ms. Ruthie felt the fallout from that bomb. I truly think the church that my dad attends is narrowing a mind that is already too thin.

In light of this Bible belt conservative mentality that I have to deal with I have decided to fight fire with fire. I have become an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. Yes, you may now call me Reverend Paul. My church has a simple philosophy. All are welcome to worship and determine what is true and right in their life as long as it does NOT infringe on the rights or beliefs of others and as long as it is legal. If you would like to join me in a worship and devotion service I will be holding service every Thursday evening at Berlin Night club. Services start promptly at midnight. Please pay all tithes to the men at the Holy water stations that look like bars located throughout the building.

This has been one hell of a weekend! The weekend started on Thursday at Big Wig for all the after work queens. It was my first time at a BGCC (Big Gay Cocktail Club) event. I met a ton of people over cocktails and appetizers while Shaka23 served up a healthy helping of soothing sounds. I meant to stay at home Friday but my friend Sean twisted my arm and the next thing you know I’m at Big Chicks.

Saturday was the pinnacle of the weekend for me. My friend Rob generously invited me and several other friends to Horizon’s Swank annual benefit gala entitled Human First. It was billed as black tie optional but there were many handsome menz sporting their designer tuxes that evening. My ensemble was built around those fabulous shoes I got in Italy. The evening was capped off with a stunning performance by Ms. Jennifer Holiday! She sang a variety of songs for about 40 minutes. But honeys, when she started her signature song from “Dream Girls” I made a bee line to the front of the room! I was knocking queens down left and right to get a primo spot! The gala was ‘Absolutely Fabulous’. Plenty of food, plenty of wine (too much wine) and plenty of fun!