Friday, July 30, 2004

Our Illustrious...Leader?

NEWSWEEK reports that President Bush, appearing before a right-to-life rally in Tampa, Florida on June 17, stated: "We must always remember that all human beings begin life as a feces. A Feces is a living being in the eyes of God,who has endowed that feces with all of the rights and God-given blessings of any other human being." The audience listened in disbelief as the President repeated his error at least a dozen times, before realizing that he had used the word 'feces" when he meant to say "fetus."

"What kind of peace do I mean and what kind of a peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war, not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave, I am talking about genuine peace -the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living - and the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and build a better life for their children - not merely peace of Americans, but peace for all men and women -not merely peace in our time but peace in all time."- John F. Kennedy: June 10, 1963 -

Happy POETS Day

Have I ever explained POETS Day to you all? Every Friday is POETS Day. My high school English teacher used to write it on the board every week. She wouldn't tell us what it meant until we graduated. That's because it means "Piss on everything, tomorrow's Saturday." Any questions as to why Mrs. Hansen was one of my favorite people, teachers, and role models? I thought not.

In other news, for those who've said the test blog needed something a little more...me...take a look now. See if has a gay flare AND a Jim flare now. Flare. Flame. "Flames. On the side of my face. Breathin...Heaving....flames."

Thursday, July 29, 2004

Updated

So I've made the changes requested so far:
1) The body fonts are bigger
2) The title font is smaller
3) There's only one green on the marquee
4) There's a different yellow on the marquee

So what do you think now? Anything else that needs to be fixed? Because it seems the general concensus is that this design is a go!

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Another design to review

Since I got horrid reviews on the last test blog design, I've tweaked a newer, simpler, and gayer one. Please check it out and comment back to me!

Post #51

Sleepy is still the name of the game. Doing laundry until midnight is madness. In the future, let there be wrinkles! Levi was here for a visit. It was far too short, especially since I was gone for half of it. He's leaving today. I hate goodbye, especially when it feels like I've not even said hello. (@set me=sad) The good news: In looking at Blogger, my last post was #50! Just felt like such a milestone should be noted. I have coffee with amaretto flavored creamer this morning, and that is a happy thing. All hail Wakey Wakey, the Caffeine God! Apparently, the randomness from Mandyland has spilled over into the Rainbow Kingdom. Enjoy.

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Summer's gone?!

It's true. For me at least. This week has apparently marked the beginning of something we at work call "Dante's Descent." We also affectionately refer to it as "Hell Week." This is the 2 month period where we're too busy to blink or breathe. Notice how our Hell Week lasts for 2 months? Special fun, I tell ya.

I noticed last week that things were picking up, but was hoping to have another week of relatively low stress. Alas, it is not to be so. This means I will be unable to do a lot of things...like eating or sleeping or hanging out. I'll be working on schedules for my employees. For those who have never witnessed this process, you're in for a ride. Last year an employee put a sign on my door that read "Scheduling ogre at work. Disturb at your own peril." Lunch hours will be a fond remembrance and will be mentioned only with a wistful sigh. Fun trips and events get shifted to the back burner. And it should be even more magical this year with a moldy downstairs. Woohoo!

All this is really not a complaint, though. It's just a fair warning. I'll be harder to reach, more tired, and likely more irratable. I do sincerely apologize in advance! And for the times I will no doubt have to call and say "I'm stuck at work and can't let the pups out....help..." Thanks and I'm sorry! I'm starting to focus once again on my Fall work conference, which is always a ragingly good time. "If I can just make it to Baltimore, I'll survive." Goals. Baby steps. Ladies and gentlemen....please hold onto the bar and keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times.

Monday, July 26, 2004

Old Schmold

So as most of you know, I've been feeling old thanks to the onset of my 10 year class reunion. I wasn't sure what to expect either. I've not seen or heard from so many of my classmates since graduation...and my coming out. It's been a year since I was last in Wright, and that was for a benefit golf tournament dedicated to my mother. I was there for 24 hours then.

So Friday night my best friend Jesse and his wife Rae tossed their luggage and 3 dogs into my car and we were off. Rain and construction don't make for a stellar trip, but a normal one for Wyoming in July. We rolled in about 9pm. By 10pm we were on our way to Hank's, a local bar. Some of the class was going to meet up for our pre-reunion party, because there's little else to do in Wright on a Friday night. I got to see a few folks I'd not seen in a long time, and it was a decent time. By 11:30 we were exhausted, so Jess, Rae, and I headed home to bed.

The next morning I got up early for breakfast with my father. I returned the pistol he'd loaned me and got a brand new shiny 10 gauge Ithaca shotgun in return. A decent trade, though I already miss the 9mm. (I know...I have butch moments. Shocking, isn't it?) Up to Hank's (the restaurant side) with Tim and Jackie Wahle (friends) and Dad. Mmm...biscuits and gravy. And an ambulance. Apparently, one of the cooks lost consciousness in the back and dropped a pile of dishes. She dislocated her knee and rolled about in the broken glass in the process, so the local EMT crew was called in to wheel her out on a gurney. Who said Wright isn't exciting? After a few hours listening to Dad ramble on about different rifles, calibers, and hunting stories, it was time to pick up Jesse and Rae for the first official reunion activity.

We left for Panther Pond, the park/recreation area the town built just about the time we graduated. We were supposed to have a picnic up there with everyone's rugrats. Show off the kids, catch up, make sure we remembered one another's faces...that sort of affair. However, Wyoming weather decided to throw us a curveball, and it was FREEZING cold. As in, the small children and babies were likely to get hypothermia, not to mention the "grown ups." So Becka, who had arranged the whole reunion, called in the calvary in the form of her mom. Joanne runs 2 restaurants in town, including the pizza parlor (which didn't exist when I was a kid. Wright is a thriving metropolis now). She opened the shop 4 hours early and fired up the pizza oven. We crammed into the small space, oooing and aaaahing over the kids, answering "What do you do now?" for the 13th time, and worked on 4 super large pizzas. Everyone got along surprisingly well and I was amazed to see how many people showed up...and who some of them were.

After a few hours, we split up. At 7pm, we met at the bowling alley (which also didn't exist when I lived there). We were supposed to be at the golf course, but since it was a screened in porch, the weather again altered our plans. This was VERY appropriate for our class, who usually had problems deciding on anything. Prime Rib for dinner. Our very own bar. Half our class, sans rugrats. Needless to say, we had a few drinks. 3 of the 5 teachers still in town from "the old days" showed up. One bought us a round of shots. We caught up. Then went bar hopping. Heh.

So for those who have been teasing me about being old (including myself) ask yourself this: When was the last time you hit every bar in town (granted, there are only 2 in Wright), closed a bar, moved the party to a house party, closed the house party, and got home at 5am? I know it had been a LONG time for me. But apparently, we weren't as old as we thought we were. I can't tell you everything that happened, but I did get to ride in a Hummer 2 (among other things).

As this post is getting very long, I'll close by saying that I had a GREAT time at my reunion. Not a single person there said or did anything I'd consider rude or homophobic. In fact, I can't tell you how many times I heard "I'm so glad you came out," "You're so much more comfortable now," or "You seem more like...YOU." I managed to not out the other 2 (that I know of) queer classmates, neither of whom were in attendance. I saw old friends and think we'll stay in better touch now. I got to know people better, because there wasn't a bunch of high school popularity clique bullshit. I've got a GREAT connection for a tattoo and piercing place in North Denver, owned by a terrific guy (and his kick ass fun wife). I'm sleepy as hell, but it was all so worth it.

Today's lesson: Call, write, or email someone from your past and reconnect. Touch base with a relative or friend you've not spoken with in too long. There are some great people out there, and they're worth tracking down. Go. Now. I said go!

Thursday, July 22, 2004

A reading list, as required by Rev. Furious

Okay. I can play along. Somewhat. ;)

1) The Pern Series, by Anne McCaffrey - This is the series that made me completely fall in love with fantasy, dragons, and the eternal struggle to form a more perfect society. There are MANY books in it, with a few tangent story lines and mini-trilogies. They're all worth it. It's the most complete and detailed other-world adventure I've ever found, and led me to years of online role-playing games based on Pern.

2) The Harry Potter Books, by J.K. Rowling - I've always said that I may be getting older, but I refuse to grow up. See, I'm just cleverly disguised as an adult. And I give bigtime kudos to anyone who can give kids (of all ages) a passion for reading again.

3) Druids, by Morgan LLywelyn - A friend gave me this several years ago, and I recently bought my own copy to re-read it. It's a historical fiction piece about the struggle of Celt vs. Roman in Gaul, as told from the perspective of Ainvar, who becomes Chief Druid of the Carnutes and Keeper of the Sacred Grove. Fun, controversial, and well-written. Besides, Anne McCaffrey called it "Splendid and compelling," which was enough for me to pick it up.

4) The Encyclopedia Brown Series, by Donald Sobel - Another series of books for young readers, but a lot of fun. I admit that it's been some time since I've read any of these, but they were such fun! He's a kid detective who solves cases large and small using common sense, deductive reasoning, and one tiny detail. It's kinda like Harry Potter meets Murder She Wrote meets Monk. Even as an adult, it's fun to try to solve the case with or before Encylopedia Brown. Definitely a reason I love crime dramas and who-dunnits today.

5) Lady Audley's Secret, by Mary Elizabeth Braddon - A fine Victorian serial novel. I read this one for my Brit Lit II (and Gender and Humanities) class. and actually loved it. It's unlike most Victorian novels because it was published as a serial. This means the action starts right away and keeps going throughout the book. Unlike most things by Jane Austen or Charles Dickens (who were paid by the word), there isn't a 4 page description of a field of grass. It's a murder mystery of sorts, and is really quite good.

6) The Snow Garden, by Christopher Rice - Yup, Anne Rice's gay son is an author, and a damned fine one at that! His tale of murder and intrigue holds you fast with realistic characters, scandal, and secretive pasts. Every character has something to hide, each plot twist is miraculously connected, and the tension is nothing if not taut. Loaned to me by a friend at work, I read this last Fall. I don't do enough reading for fun, so this still makes the list.

Monday, July 19, 2004

Pout

Apparently, my core readers (how come I don't get random visitors like the rest of you?) don't like the new template. *sigh* I shall keep my eye open for better designs.

In other news, the laptop died Friday night, so no access from home for a bit. *sniff* It's down the hall at PC Maintenance; they're checking it for hardware problems, as it was just rebuilt very recently. So we'll see what happens. One way or another I'll have to rebuild the stupid thing, and that's a pain in my ass. (And not in a good way...sorry...hadn't scarred y'all in far too long.)

I watched a movie yesterday called "Bang, Bang, You're Dead." It is freaking amazing! It deals with bullying, violence, and guns in our schools. It's got a decent cast and makes you think...and cry. It's on the PVR at home (for a bit) if you wanna watch it, faithful(ish) readers. It's running on Showtime this month. You must watch it. No choice. Speaking of the PVR, I had to purge many shows this weekend, as I was almost out of space. Brini is still intact, but most everything else went away, as some of it had been on the PVR for a month. Deal. ;)

Friday, July 16, 2004

Update

I have a test design! Tell me what you think: http://biggayjimtest.blogspot.com

What do you think?

After wrestling Mandy's blog into a new template, I'm thinking about renewing my quest for a newer, gayer blog template. I have a test blog where I started to play with a design...unsuccessfully. Now I think perhaps I will make it happen. What do you think? Is it time for a queer redecorating?

Thursday, July 15, 2004

Monsoon season

See, I stayed home from work today. As I was trying to go to sleep last night, the growing list of chores and projects seemed overwhelming. After a slightly fitful sleep, I woke and said "It's time." I called into work and went to back to bed, as I knew I would need sufficient rest and energy for the day's activities. I was up and at 'em by 10am. We now join our regularly scheduled thought process to detail the day. It's a dull day, but thought you might like to know what it's like inside my brain at times.

Start the laundry, toss in the bedding that needs to be washed. Breakfast for the pups, check the email, empty the dishwasher. Change back to the regular blade on the mower instead of the power rake attachment. Done. Good. See, I can be handy and mechanical. Shit...the phone's ringing...must mow. YES, she called back! Drive to the Newman Center and trade vehicles with Rae. Must hurry...rain's coming, and I HAVE to mow TODAY. Jackass...don't cut me off like that, this isn't my truck! Drive home. Throw the carpet and ruined desk in the truck. Drive to the dump. Don't get in a wreck, not my car. Yessir, pit #2 it is. Wow. This is almost full. I remember just a few years ago it was a huge pit. Now it's a bulging mound. Empty the truck. Phew...whatever the bulldozer just uncovered STINKS. Drive to Rae's and change vehicles again. Go to bank. Deposit insurance check so I can actually pay for all these repairs. Must hurry...rain is coming. Go to hardware store for RoundUp and weedpuller...flower beds are getting out of control. Drive home fast. Fucking bagger is not cooperating. Must mow the jungle or predators will move in and eat the pups, striking from behind the lush cover when they least expect it. Mow...wow, it's been almost a month since I did this, huh? Bad homeowner! Sheesh it's hot. Must empty bag every 2 laps...too much grass and it's holding a lot of moisture. Rain is coming...hurry, hurry, hurry! Empty the bag for the 6th time. So hot. Must mow the front now. C'mon, just 10 more minutes, weather. That's all I need. Empty bag. Shit, that's a drop I felt...3 passes left. DONE! Empty bag, tie up trash and put in front so I don't forget it in the morning. Put away mower...and here's the rain. Wow...a lot of rain. Hey...no hail! Hail damage is bad, and one insurance claim at a time is more than enough! Damn it's hot. Must cool down for a sec...I could blog! What's left for the day: wash the pups, cuz they need a bath. Put the laundry in the dryer. Do I have enough dirty clothes to do a second load? Must mop the disaster area with bleach. I'll have to go shopping today too. Shit...there's a SAFE Board meeting tonight, so no Thursday night TV. Hey...this is my last board meeting, huh? Three years. Wow. Must blog now. And send a text message to everyone about no TV. Fun...the streets are flooding. They look like rivers. Very muddy rivers, but rivers nonetheless. Change the laundry. Wash the dogs...so much to do.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Woo-fucking-hoo!

The "Federal Marriage Amendment" was defeated in the Senate today. Those with brain cells started a filibuster yesterday. Those without said cells couldn't even get the necessary 50% majority for a cloture motion today, much less the 2/3 majority to pass the discriminatory piece of dung...I mean...legislation.

The best part: it was a bi-partisan effort. Dems and Reps alike filibustered, and several Reps went against party leadership and refused to vote for cloture.

Democracy worked today. Is the fight over? Nah. But this is a BIG victory, and means I don't have to leave the house in shambles while I move to Europe. :)

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

The worst Monday (and best friends) ever

So for those of you who haven't yet heard, I had a homo homeowner disaster. A broken pipe to be exact. Granted, a little pipe, with small amounts of water. But since the pipe broke over the winter (without anyone's knowledge) and the water seeped down into a wall about a month ago, this is a huge problem. Because now the guest bedroom/my office is full of mold and mildew. Like...in the walls and carpets. Thank gawd for homo homeowner's insurance! The estimate came in at $2500. At least. And they're cutting me a check. Woohoo!

The carpet must be pulled up and replaced. The drywall must be knocked out, insulation replaced, chemicals sprayed to kill leftover living things, and drywall replaced. Then comes retexturing and painting. And new linoleum in the closet under the stairs, which shares a wall with the guest room closet. Then there's the ceiling in the office. It must be deflocked (heh), touched up, and repainted as well. Don't you love life? I know I do. *sigh*

So this was my Monday, as I discovered this special treat late Sunday night, after Mandy and Bridget left my house. Stir in a heaping cup of work problems and a pint of last minute queer program planning, finish with a 90 minute board meeting, and you have a perfect recipe for the worst Monday in a looooooooooooong time. I was on the verge of a mental collapse...or the beginning of an intense drunk, whichever came first.

Then my friends rode in to the rescue. Mandy, Travis, and Drew helped me move everything out of the affected rooms and into the garage (another sore subject, as every time I clean out the garage, something happens that fills it up instantly). They fed me, as I had not eaten...at all (yes, NerdyGirl, I know you will kick my ass). They even made me one martini...at triple strength. They kept me glued together and focused on the task at hand, instead of the overwhelming scope of the whole project.

And tonight, some of them have volunteered to help rip up carpet. You know you have true friends when they'll face icky mold and mildew for you, even when you're ready to lose your fucking mind and find a belltower with a high-powered semi-automatic weapon. :) To everyone who's helping me keep it together (and in some cases, tearing it apart), thank you. Most of you know how hard it is for me to ask for help on larger issues. Letting out the puppies is one thing. Battling potentially hazardous spores is another. Thanks for offering (and in some cases, forcing me to take) the help. It means more to me than you might know.

Tonight's adventure: ripping up the carpet.

Sunday, July 11, 2004

Interviews, Street Dances, and Brunch

So I spent Friday conducting an interview for the SAFE Project. There were 44 applicants. We had 22 people at the interview. I was there for 12 hours. It was a long day to say the least. So I came home, changed clothes, grabbed a nibble for dinner, and headed for the street dance. I met up with most of the gang in downtown around 9pm. We wandered for a while, deciding the music was...well, shitty. and not because it was country. I'm used to that. No, this was just shitty and poorly done. So I walked Mandy back to her car and was home by 10:30pm. Eh.

Saturday was a lazy morning spent at home, sleeping in and relaxing. Wrestling with puppies, coping with dishes, the usual. Mandy and Bridget came over around 9ish to pick me up (there may have been a bottle of wine involved before they got there) and we went back to the street dance. The music was better, but there was still little excitement to be found. So before long we ran to Bridget's and picked up a DVD of Oz and came back to Casa de Mi. :) We watched an episode before exhaustion set in around Midnight. The girls went home, and I crashed.

So this morning I discovered the first episode of "I Love the 90's" on VH1. I taped it and started the phone tree, thinking brunch was in order. Mandy was the only person I could get in touch with...at least the only one who was still in town. So she came over and (after a quick run to Safeway) we whipped up biscuits and gravy with Eggs Benedict on the side. Bridget is here now too, and there is a Law and Order: SVU marathon holding us captive. What are you up to? C'mon over!

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

I hate paperwork

So today was a day to catch up on things after the vacation and the holiday weekend. Translation, I did a lot of paperwork. Hiring new people, removing terminated people, making sure I have new spreadsheets for the new fiscal year. Icky, horrible, tedious stuff that just has to happen, like it or not. And so it did. It's far from done, but it's a lot closer than it was this morning. Woohoo?

And this was the day that wouldn't end, at least as far as work is concerned. The last 20 minutes of the day are never going to be done. Ever! Of course, my allergy attack (please don't let this be a cold) isn't helping much, either. I just want to take some NyQuil (or several martinis), crawl into a ball, and sleep.

Note to self: Must buy milk and eggs on my way home.

Tomorrow: I'll work on revising the employee manual. Thrilling stuff, neh?

Lesson: Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot.

Sunday, July 04, 2004

In memory

So yesterday was a lazy day at home. I Love the 70's Marathon on VH1, don'cha know. ;)

I spent today in the park playing carnival barker at the SAFE Project dunk tank. We did well today, despite being rained out 2 hours early. I had 'em packed in and lined up, if I do say so. And kudos and great big thanks to Miss Mandy for taking the first frigid shift of the day!

So I echo the thoughts of NerdyGirl and Reverend Furious about today's holiday. But today means something different to me these days. 2 years ago today, my mother died of breast cancer. When initially diagnosed, she was given 6 months to live - on the very outside. She lived for another 2.5 years...enough time to see my sister married and me buy a house. It was a good life, and she was happy.

Now this is not a pity party. I'm actually doing VERY well today. But for me, the 4th is now a time to remember. Remember those who are no longer with us. Remember those we don't always value enough. And to remember those who have given their lives obtaining and defending our country's freedom.

May nobody else die needlessly.

Friday, July 02, 2004

We now return to our regularly scheduled gayness

As much fun as I'm having gushing about the trip, another event cropped up this week that deserves a post. I (re)met a police officer from California. He just turned 40. He works in Nothern California as the director of a law enforcement academy. And he just came out.

He's known he wasn't straight since he was about 12 years old. He's had girlfriends and the other usual "alibi" behaviors. But at 40 years old, he decided to come out and live his life openly. So far he's just coming out to the friends and family close to him, and those he feels can handle the information without im/exploding. This is a VERY happy thing. He credits Matt's death for a lot of his decision. Matt's story touched him so much that he found the courage after all that time.

Talking to him touched me. Once again it reminded me why I keep speaking and fighting and teaching and burning the candle at both ends. It's for people like him. It's so that people don't have to go through what he endured to be themselves.

Today's lesson: Inspiration and motivation are all around us, sometimes even hidden behind horrible things. Find it. Seek it out. Harness it, and make a positive change in your life.