Coffee Talk 1/21/09 "Us versus Them"

Hello Friends of The Village,

Every week, well almost every week, I attend The Village Coffee Talk held on Wednesday Nights, 7pm, at Salt Lake Roasting Company. It is always an enjoyable discussion led by Josh. I always get in trouble for talking when I'm not suppose to. But, it is a fun, lively discussion, with a provocative topic.

Last week the topic was a comparison discussion between The XMen and being gay. What are the similarities? What are the differences? Are the movies really about US, in a way? The answer to all of these questions is "Yes".

Similarities between the gay (GLBTASDJALX) community and the XMen are many. We are singled out. We are blamed. We are outcast. We are often left to figure things out on our own. We are discriminated against. People don't understand us. People are afraid of us. People do not understand why we are they we are. We all admire and respect Patrick Stewart. We all enjoy life when it is cast with pretty people.

Okay, I digress. Back to business. There are many positive similarities as well. We do have to figure things out on our own, until we find role models and others like us to help along the way. This causes all of us to really examine our lives, our values, our beliefs on very profound and deep levels. It is a challenge that truly strengthens us. We are gifted. We are very creative. History is built upon the creativity and contributions of homosexuals. If we are able to overcome our own fears and phobias we are usually very compassionate, caring and empathetic. We are natural spiritualists and shamans. We are forced to think outside of almost all cultural boxes, thus we become free to live outside of many cultural preconceptions. This is very liberating. Why, yes, come to think about we are intimidating. Once we realize, find and claim our identity and strength as gay individuals we are powerful. Just like the XMen we are also cross-cultural, pan-cultural. We occur everywhere. We, as our own community, are a global community with a lot in common, that ties us together across all boundaries and borders.

Actually, there may not be that many differences between us and the XMen. Well, there are a couple. First, we are not fictional. We really do exist. Our lives are not scripted. A script does make a show slick, easy and interesting. Our lives are interesting, but like all humans, we are really making it up as we go. And, our lives do not last two hours, like a movie. Even after a big finale, they still go on. So, yeah, there are a couple of differences, that actually make us better than XMen.

So, this is my two cents worth, as a bit of a follow-up to last weeks coffee talk. I hope Carlos actually blogs the whole thing without edits!

Contributor: Shawn Dallas Stradley, an active Village Core Group member and a devoted Coffee Talk attendee.

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Don't forget we will have The Village House Party this coming Saturday, January 31st from 7 PM until 11 PM at Steve Rossi's residence (1915 South 1300 East SLC, UT 84105). We will be talking about "Empowering You!" and it is a potluck event so bring a side dish and/or a drink (non-alcoholic).

Validation

A short film about the magic of looking for the best in people.



Once in a while we needed to be validated and reminded on how good we are on our work, our appearances and our whole being. Create a smile and be that someone today!

This movie has played at 34 film festivals worldwide and won 17 awards.

The Village House Party

Have you thought of where you at now? Are you stuck? Doing things repeatedly? Do you need change?

Well we would like to invite you to our Quarterly Village House Party and we are talking about Empowering You!

Carl and Josh will explore the realm of comfort zones and breaking out your own walls as a preliminary position to start Empowering You!
Don't forget this will be a potluck event and bring some side dish and drinks.

When: January 31st 7 PM until 11 PM
Where: Steve Rossi's House 1915 South 1300 East SLC, UT 84105 (sugarhouse)

Questions? email thevillage@utahaids.org or call Carl @ 801-487-2323.

Coffee Talk 01/14/09

Hello everyone!

Last week coffee talk was all about "A Hard Thing to Break".

As always we met at Salt Lake Roasting Company around 7 pm and have an icebreaker. Our moderator, Josh was teasing the crowd that everyone knows what he says before the coffee talk starts so he wants a little change and pushes one of our Coffee Talk regular to take over about the talk.

Everyone was amazed and surprise for a sudden turn of the discussion.

It is difficult when we have changes in our lives and that was the main topic at that night. The energy was low and few participated on the discussion. Some say that it isn't easy to be in a place of rut or being stuck. Unless if they notice it, change is needed in order to move on. Others say that it is difficult when you are already in your comfort zone and get out of your comfort zone. The moderator asks everyone if they notice when they come to coffee talk and sits with the same people, others agreed and some disagree.

How do you feel when there is a sudden change in your life? What if change is the only feasible solution, will you do it?

Connexion Cocktail Party

Coffee talk 1/7/09

If you miss our 1st Coffee Talk of the year, don't you worry because I will give you the highlights of the 1st Coffee Talk of 2009.

We talk about "Bod".

Our Coffee Talk mediator - Josh Newbury divided the group into 4 and each group was given a task to draw their Ideal healthy body and what does healthy body looks like to you.

After few minutes each different groups reported and showed their ideal and what is a healthy body looks like to them. Some of the drawings showing a nice pecs, nice abs, great hair styles, big smiley faces, weights in the other hand & money on the other and some have hearts on their chest, a vision of dreaming and don't forget the healthy ass.

Some thinks that being healthy shows like being physically fit & others thru mentally, emotionally & accepting themselves. The discussion lasted for more than an hour due to different ideas and prospects about what is the definition of healthy to everyone.

It ended up by a good closing remarks that each of us have different ideas on how we really see being healthy looks like.

So what about you, what is a healthy "bod" looks like to you?

Gay Movie Night

We are partnering with Wasatch Theatre Company's production of Boys in the Band. If you buy a ticket to the play you can watch the movie for free. Tickets can be purchased at ArtTix, www.arttix.com, (801) 355-ARTS.

Winter Black & Red