Adam FlandersHey! Sunny here. Check out my site and feel free to contact me. You’ll find links to my resumé, research, digital artwork, and much more. If you'd like me to create something for you, such as a website, CG animation, an LED-lit sign, etc. just ask and we can work something out - my rates are very reasonable.

I’m very much a Romantic at heart: “marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized; marked by expressions of love or affection.”

I pretty much wear my heart on my sleeve and I'm up for just about any adventure. Don't be afraid to say hi - I'm definitely not stuck up or anything. I'm usually in the lab or reading or playing Wii or outside, wishing it was warmer so I could be in the ocean - I miss scuba diving in the Summer. Read my blog below for regular updates, usually about stuff I think is cool, like graphic design, science, and pomeranians, lol.

My Na'vi

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

My friend Taylor and I went to Avatar in 3D again last night and I decided to make my own na'vi - about 4 hours of accumulative work using Photoshop CS4.

iPad

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Today has been an exciting day! Steve Jobs announced Apple's newest, highly-anticipated tablet computer, the iPad. All us Mac geeks will be getting it as soon as we can! I've been waiting for a tablet Mac for years now, and finally it's here!

Obama also announced today that he's devoted to overturning Don't Ask, Don't Tell this year. I don't know, I've kind of always relished the idea that if America ever goes to war, me and every other gay man will be immune from the draft. I suppose it makes up for the fact that us gays can't get married. The altruistic part of me says DADT is wrong and should be repealed, but the personal side of me says I'd rather have immunity from the death draft.

McCain Marriage Equality

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Cindy McCain just recently came out in support of marriage equality, specifically the NOH8 (NO on Prop.8) campaign in California, proving that even the most prominent Republicans are not necessarily allied with ignorant fundamentalists. John's daughter, Meghan, has also constently supported equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans.

Despite the fact that John McCain's political team has stated that he remains opposed to same-sex marriage, many people believe he in fact believes in equal rights for all. It is no secret that his years as a POW offered him a unique experience that imbued him with a lifetime compassion for others. I consider him to be a moderate Republican, and to be totally honest, were it not for his unfortunate choice of VP (very unfortunate), I would have voted McCain hands down. Obama is incompetent and I knew he would not keep his promises - unfortunately my naive generation easily fell into the hype and idolization, as if he would somehow bring drastic "change" to the US.

To be totally honest, I wanted Hillary, but that was not an option. Were it not for the extremist fundamentalism embedded in the GOP, I would most definitely be a Republican. For now, I am settled as a registered Independent and I believe the best president we could ever have would be Colin Powell (had McCain chosen Powell as his VP, Obama wouldn't have stood a chance, and I'm not making any reference whatsoever to race). But in any case, this recent decision by Mrs. McCain to so publicly support marriage equality shows that equal rights is truly a bipartisan value. Thank-you Mrs. McCain, and thank-you to all the people working so hard in California and the Federal courts to ensure that nationwide marriage equality becomes a reality in the next few years!

...And I have to say, Mrs. McCain looks stunning enough in this photo to make even me question my attractions, hehe.

Saved by the Calvary

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Last night my friends and I went out to eat, but when we came back out, we found my car tire was blown (I had thought I was low on steering fluid). I have never changed a tire on my own before, but my roommate had, so she told me what to do and helped me jack it up. I think we would have managed without help, but nonetheless, 2 men in a pickup truck asked us if we needed help and they gave us some pointers about making sure the spare was on correctly, and keeping the bolts lightly screwed on while jacking the car so that, in case of a fall, my car wouldn't crash on its frame.

After we got the spare securely on, one of the men asked us if we went to church and that if we're interested, we should come to the Calvary Chapel in Bangor. We thanked them and they continued on their way.

I really respect individuals like these men and I believe that if more Christians behaved in such a manner and kept in mind the importance of good witness, more young people would be involved in church. I know all to well the often condemning and outright hateful messages preached by fundamentalists, and I don't think those messages serve to enlighten anyone. In fact, I'm sure it turns a lot of people off and results in a lifelong disgust or fear of religion.

If you are Christian, I hope you choose to conduct yourself based on the teachings of true Christian charity, kindness, and "loving thy neighbor as thyself." No matter what our beliefs, these men set a good example for all of us, and I know I will do the same someday if someone needs a tire changed, etc. After all the hate and ignorance I heard during the marriage equality campaign, this was a refreshing reminder of what true Christians represent.

NEXT

Friday, January 15th, 2010

The Northeast Collegiate Council on Sexual Diversity ("NEXT") will be converging with the Wilde Stein Alliance for Sexual Diversity at the University of Maine (Orono) on February 20th. It will be an opportunity for all the Gay-Straight Alliances in the State of Maine to converse and strategize how we, as GLBT youth, can be more effective in providing support for our community and advocacy for GLBT rights in Maine.

Founded in 1973, the Wilde Stein Alliance for Sexual Diversity is the second oldest GLBT university organization in the country. We are the largest GLBT student organization in the State of Maine. I have been an officer and proud member since coming to UMaine 3 years ago. We continue to be involved in statewide issues concerning equal rights for GLBT individuals. If you represent a GLBT or civil rights organization, especially one associated with a school, I strongly encourage you to get involved with this council. FMI email Danielle Steele at Danielle.M.Steele@umit.maine.edu

Win One for Us!

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Same-sex marriage was recently legalized in DC, and many people consider this to be an indication that Congress will favor equality if and when it comes to their table, assuming the Supreme Court doesn't "legalize" it nationwide as a result of the current Prop.8 appeals in Federal Court. Today was another victory for advocates of equality in DC and nationwide. 39 members of Congress attempted to overturn the DC Council's decision to legalize same-sex marriage and they failed for the single reason that the DC Superior Court Judge Judith Macaluso determined that the rights of the minority cannot be voted on by the majority. Finally, someone has set this precedent, and where else but the nation's capital? Unlike in Maine and California, the rights of gay and lesbian couples will NOT be voted on by the majority in DC. I hope this precedent has a nationwide impact and prevents other states from voting on the basic human rights of minorities via "mob rule."

Shiny Toy Guns - Stripped

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Blog Archive

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

I've created a blog archive on my site so that everytime you visit my posts here, your browser doesn't crash due to loading every blog I've ever written, LOL. You can get to it by clicking on the link at the top of the page or by visiting adamflanders.com/blog I really appreciate the visits - over 5,000 unique hits in the past year since starting up my site! With my new blog archive, you can now leave comments on my posts. For example, you might share your thoughts or offer additional information or external links on a topic. I moderate all comments and they have to be approved prior to being posted. I will be starting up two new sites soon, both focused on genetic research and scientific study. I will publish something as soon as those are complete.

CNN Prop.8 Debate

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

This is the debate between the lead attorney for Prop.8 and Geoff Kors of Equality California concerning the new Federal Trial. I think Kors makes an amazing argument in his few minutes.

Opening Statements

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Our side has offered their opening statements and they are powerful. You can read the entire transcript here: Opening Statement in Prop.8 Trial. The Perry v. Schwarzenegger case will most certainly go down in history, no matter what the outcome, and both sides of the issue have vowed to take it to the US Supreme Court. You can read our basic legal arguments here: Perry v. Schwarzenegger.

Supreme Court Overrules

Monday, January 11th, 2010

The US Supreme Court has overruled Judge Walker's decision to make the Prop.8 Federal Trial available to the public via YouTube, so it seems we will all be kept in the dark in the next few weeks. Actually it seems the Supreme Court hold will only last for the first 48 hours pending trial circumstances. You can read more about it here:

U.S. Supreme Court blocks video coverage of Prop. 8 trial

Prop.8 trial to include unprecedented testimony

Please take a moment to sign this petition to Obama to urge the courts to declare Prop.8 unconstitutional. Thank-you.



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