PHILANTHROPY: Tap into your passion

When Sherman Tam was promoted in June, his new job as a senior marketing manager for a technology firm brought all of the changes he expected to his career.

He had prestige, more responsibility, a bigger team and financial rewards. At age 43, Sherman had achieved the pinnacle of corporate success. “I felt I had accomplished what I wanted to do professionally.”

What he didn’t see coming was the nagging question, which began as a whisper as he settled into his new position: “Is this what I wanted to do with the rest of my life?”

He knew the answer.

“Corporate America was not my thing long-term,” Sherman said. Increasing market share and revenue didn’t compare with the sense of purpose and personal fulfillment he felt whenever he volunteered with a nonprofit organization.

ARTS & BOOKS: A chat with Armistead Maupin

Whenever I hear the name, Armistead Maupin, I think back to the first time I encountered the iconic author's work -- and the old chicken-and-egg debate ensues. Except it's the book-and-miniseries debate.

I'm sure I learned of Armistead through his "Tales of the City" series, but I do not recall whether I read the books or watched the miniseries first. What I remember is being thoroughly entertained and feeling as if I knew this grab-bag of bold, sexy, lovable, gay, straight and transgender characters.

More than 30 years after he introduced us to his San Francisco playground, Armistead continues to explore the lives of Mary Ann Singleton, Michael Tolliver and their crew. This year he released "Mary Ann in Autumn," the eighth book in the series and his 34th tome overall.

When Armistead visited THE WILL DEAN SHOW this week he discussed the real-life shenanigans that inspired the series, the ongoing lesson of his work and the one word he feels describes the challenges gay men face today.

OUR WORLD: Gay in the Middle East



Michael Luongo, author

 Gay men are everywhere.

For evidence supporting this adage, look no further than the work of journalist Michael Luongo. Michael goes where these men and their stories are, from Texas to Buenos Aires to Baghdad.

I met Michael in 2001 in Dallas. I was attending my first National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Convention, and feeling a little lost. Michael must've noticed I was a newbie because he came over and was so kind and helpful to me during that time. When the convention ended he told me was going to stay behind and explore other parts of Texas.

He still has that adventurous spirit. After he agreed to be interviewed on THE WILL DEAN SHOW about his most recent work, I sent him the questions by e-mail, which he planned to answer while en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina. He's moved there for a few months to update Frommer’s Buenos Aires guidebook.

FITNESS: Cuckoo for coconut oil

BY LORNE OPLER

Spend enough time in the gym, as I'm sure many if not most readers of this blog do, and you'll likely get all kinds of advice about nutrition.  Some of what you'll hear is credible, some not.   Such is the case with coconut oil. Look for

and have a soft, distinct taste and te

You can’t go anywhere today without hearing about saturated fats. And what you hear from almost all dietitians is that saturated fats are bad for you. Truth is, not all are.  Coconut oil is a good example. Indeed, if exercise and healthy eating are part of your daily routine, coconut oil should be part of it too.   

While coconut oil is almost entirely made up of saturated fats (approx 90 percent), it is mostly medium triglycerides (triglycerides being the term for fat molecules found in the body). Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) have a shorter "chain length" than other saturated fats. This is what makes coconut oil easier to ingest and digest.  It does not require the use of bile salts for digestion. Therefore, MCTs are rapidly absorbed from the intestine and sent to the liver where they are oxidized (burned).  As a result, they are much less likely to be stored as fat. MCTs found in coconut oil help conserve lean body mass, because they prevent protein from being utilized as an energy source.