Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Announcement

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Look for me in this coming week’s Village Soup / Republican Journal. My parents announced my graduation. It’s online here: Belfast man graduates with degree in biology from umaine




Facebook

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Just wanted to say that if any of you thought I deleted you, I didn’t – my Facebook accounts keep getting deleted. I keep making more, but under different names. I probably won’t add most of you back because I’m more interested in Google Plus, which will likely replace Facebook anyway. I have numerous other online accounts, too, and in any case, I have my website here, and that’s not going away. I have everything backed up (messages, photos, and my past friends lists), so I haven’t lost anything. If any of you need to get in touch with me, my email is adamsunny@rocketmail.com




Nature

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Wow, it’s already been a month since I wrote anything here! I’ve been busy starting grad school, having completed my Biology Bachelor’s over the Summer. But I’ve still made time for my hobbies.

Over the Summer I successfully induced germination in a Belladonna seed, which are very recalcitrant. The plant is now about 2 feet tall and has 5 flowers in bloom, with more to come. They have a mild odor similar to almonds, although Atropa belladonna is in the Solanaceae family, whereas almonds are in the Rosaceae family. Belladonna is also called Deadly Nightshade because it produces a potent alkaloid called atropine, among other compounds. Even a small amount of any part of the plant is sufficient to kill an adult. I used to take a small dose to get to sleep. Supposedly it’s called Belladonna (“beautiful lady”) because women used to take very small amounts to dilate their pupils.

I used my dad’s telescope to photograph the moon, Jupiter, and its moons. With some patience, I was able to photograph directly through the eyepiece using my Canon EOS. It was really incredible to be able to look directly at Jupiter like that, and to see its moons. I look at NASA photos all the time, but even at much lower resolution, nothing compares to seeing it for myself. I can’t describe the feeling. I also just finished reading Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot, which was just as awesome as Cosmos. I highly recommend both books!

My dad also caught a chipmunk today in a Havahart cage. He was exploring our gym. My dad relocated him in the woods far behind our house. Apparently the cat had been toying with him, but he’s OK.




Boo Boo

Sunday, August 14th, 2011

Just saw this on Animal Planet and I had to post it. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen – Boo Boo, the world’s smallest dog. She’s a teacup long-hair chihuahua. Our little ChiChi isn’t much bigger than her, but ChiChi is a pomchi.



If the video isn’t appearing, just click here for the video on Animal Planet.



Gay Stuff

Friday, August 12th, 2011

I wrote both of the articles below. Enjoy πŸ™‚

EqualityMaine Jump-Starting the Next Campaign for Marriage

Republicans Offer Little Hope to Gay Americans During Iowa Debate


Make It Stop

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Saw this video today and I wanted to post it. It’s “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” by Rise Against, from their album, Endgame. It addresses the recent bullying against GLBT youth and resulting suicides, made in cooperation with the It Gets Better Project. It reminded me of my time at Belfast Area High School, where I was harassed every day by students and teachers and the vice principal, Bruce Mailloux. The regular threats caused me to carry a knife in my backpack and in my locker. The music video reminded me of how I used to stand on the edge of the Belfast bridge and think about jumping, and how I tried to later kill myself with an overdose. The video ultimately presents a message of hope – that if you keep going and believe in yourself, believe it does get better, you can do incredible things. I’m glad to be alive today. I’ll have my Bachelor of Biology degree soon and things continue to look better every day, especially with court matters and civil rights. Never give up!


I know how bad it can get and the importance of recent efforts to end discrimination and homophobia in our country. We have the media on our side and even the US Senate recently created its own “It Gets Better” video. We continue to move closer to full equality. Just yesterday, the “Department of Justice filed a brief in federal court employee Karen Golinski’s federal court challenge, supporting her lawsuit seeking access to equal health benefits for her wife and arguing strongly that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional in terms unparalleled in previous administration statements.” (From Metro Weekly).

Despite all these changes, winning marriage equality in NY, having the media on our side and vocal supporters in positions of power, like Lady Gaga and President Obama, we still face many challenges and have a long way to go. Leading GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann’s husband recently stated that gays are barbarians and need to be disciplined. Equality Maine just announced that it will be once again seek to place marriage equality on the ballot, this time in November 2012. Minnesota is poised to become the next state to take up the issue, even though an anti-gay organization is working to pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Despite live feeds of Casey Anthony’s trial currently airing on every news station, the Prop.8 trial, which easily affects millions more Americans than Casey Anthony, is still being concealed from the public and remains confidential.

We must ensure that individuals like Bachmann are silenced and never get into a position of power. A major aspect of the “It Gets Better” concept is that we must continually work to ensure it gets better for all of us and those to come. We must stand up and continue to fight for what is right, and never, ever give up.

Congrats NY!

Saturday, June 25th, 2011

Congratulations New York for doing what California and Maine couldn’t! Respect and equality for all New York families. This will surely set things in motion and lay the stage for more equality until we have Federal recognition! If marriage equality can make it in the Big Apple, it can make it anywhere!

Changing Times

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

I went to Portland Pride yesterday with my boyfriend Dean, and it was clear that times are changing fast. The events felt more natural – it was no big deal. There were no counter protestors, no Christian Civic League members harassing us. The Press Herald reported on the record numbers of people in attendance, yet there was not the slightest mention of strife or concern. It was as if we had assimilated into Maine’s culture.

6 years ago, when I spoke before the Judiciary in favor of the anti-discrimination bill, things were a lot different. Today we live in a safer and more accepting society for GLBT individuals. Recently, a Florida high school elected a transgender student as their prom queen and a gay student as king. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed. We have the most GLBT-supportive president in history, and he proclaimed June National LGBT Pride Month. Just yesterday the United Nations passed a resolution to address international violations against GLBT people the world over.

We are so close to nationwide marriage equality. Another Federal judge has upheld Judge Walker’s ruling and set precedent by showing that Judge Walker’s sexual orientation does not create any bias for his decision in favor of same-sex marriage. Meanwhile DOMA continues to be ruled unconstitutional and remains virtually unsupported in the Legislature. Polls show a majority of Americans favor same-sex marriage.

It’s partly because I’m living in Portland, but when I walk down the streets with Dean, nobody yells out “faggots!” or even takes a second look. Nobody cares. It’s as if we’ve already won. I know we still have a way to go, but I can’t help feeling that we’re nearly there. All I want is to just live my life.

BTW, Happy Father’s Day everyone! πŸ˜‰

Tech Overload

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Wow, the last few days have been tech overload for me. During the Apple Developer’s Conference, they announced iCloud, iOS 5, and OS X Lion. Then E3 began yesterday and Nintendo (the only videogame company I really care about) showed some of its up and coming games and the new Wii U console to be released next year.


I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I felt the same way back in 2006 when Nintendo introduced the Wii and its odd motion controls. The idea of having a tablet-like touch screen as the controller, albeit not to be used as a portable system, adds a lot of depth for hardcore gamers. The Wii got Nintendo stuck in a sort of “everybody can play” mode that left behind the hardcore croud, so this will likely be a welcome addition that will nonetheless maintain the console’s openness to beginners and family players. Nintendo offered a huge (and much anticipated) update for the 3DS as well, so that’s been cool – the ability to download and play original Gameboy games like Super Mario Land is pretty awesome.

I noticed I haven’t blogged in a month. I’ve been pretty busy, having gotten an apartment in Portland and figuring out what I want to do for graduate school and when. Portland is nice with its gay bars, shopping selections, and parks, though I still feel a bit confined by the city. I’m definitely not a city boy, but it’s fun for now. My apartment is within walking distance of the major parks, so I won’t have to drive to Pride this year, lol.

Speaking of Pride, Maine’s House just shot down the so-called “Bathroom Bill” (LD 1046) that would have reversed parts of the Maine Human Rights Act and enabled schools and businesses to discriminate based on perceived gender identity. It is a victory for the GLBT community: House won’t block transgender suits against schools, businesses.

Graduation!

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

On Saturday I graduated from UMaine! I’ll have my Bachelor of Biology degree by the end of the Summer. I’m relocating to Portland this weekend to take a class at USM and maybe start on my Master’s. I have no idea what I’m doing after this Summer, but my original plan was to move to Florida in the Fall, though I have family who want me to move to California instead. I want to get started on grad school soon.

Last week we also had the Lavender Graduation – a special dinner event to recognize graduating GLBT students. We got rainbow tassels for graduation on Saturday. I’m going to miss all my friends at UMaine, the Rainbow Resource Center, and Wilde Stein. It all came together to make my years at UMaine awesome!

I was happy to see I ended the semester with all A’s and B’s – Organic Chemistry, Plant Biology (w/lab), Developmental Biology (w/lab), and my Senior Research Paper based on the past 2 years of scientific research I’ve been doing in plant genetic engineering. Who knows what’s in my future? In any case, I’m ready for the next step!

I want to thank my parents Vicki and Ed, and my uncle Ray, for all their help in getting me through my undergraduate degree. This is the best gift you could have given me! Thank-you!


Graduating!

My name in lights at UMaine ^-^

Ashley and I

As you can see, I was quite excited, LOL πŸ™‚

Grammy Flanders got to attend, too

My dad changed our gym sign to congratulate me. Thanks, Dad!

The University also recognized me for my services to the GLBT community on campus