Is it humane? Is it right?

Yesterday was International Human Rights Day, focusing this year’s polite protest on human rights for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people worldwide- also known as A Day without Gay (http://daywithoutgay.org/).

People were encouraged to call into work “gay” (my roommate didn’t understand this – I had to explain that people via being gay as a sickness; you call into work sick, why not call into work gay – to make a statement. I’m not sure my explanation opened her eyes) and to boycott from spending money for 24 hours, as the GLBT community contributes $700 billion dollars to the economy each year. What do they buy? Some might say they buy drugs, hot fashion accessories, sex. I believe they buy morning lattes and newspapers, lunch for high-powered business associates and dog food – just like you. You see that’s the point people – they are just like you. Not second class citizens without lifeboats on a sinking Titanic; not less deserving of basic human rights, like the right to marry. You have the freedom to fall in love, have a wedding, create a family, build a life – why shouldn’t they?

The state of Arkansas recently passed a law prohibiting unwed couples and single people from adopting or foster parenting a child. What’s the reason a child is up for adoption or in foster care? Neglect… abuse… unwanted… abandoned… Why can’t an unwed lesbian couple foster parent and later adopt one of those children, into a loving, caring and safe home? What makes a straight, married couple more suitable parents for a neglected, unwanted, abused and abandoned child? That is something I will never understand. Was Arkansas the trail-blazing state for such legislation in other states? Or will Arkansas stand alone? Maybe a few years ago you would have thought that Arkansas’ decision would leave them without a date for prom and I would have agreed. But California’s statewide vote on November 4th (the same day the United States of America elected our first African-American President) proved the spirit and belief of the GLBT community as second-class citizens is still very much a reality in this country. It’s a share that such a historical day for one community is also such a sorrowful day for another.

The Advocate (www.advocate.com) published not only a story comparing Gay Rights to Civil Rights, but designed a groundbreaking cover – Gay is the new Black. It’s a powerful story, not in any way indicating that gay rights will replace, surpass or override the struggle of African-Americans in this country; but the civil rights movement was a war won by African-Americans when the Civil Rights Bill was signed into law in 1964. Where is the Gay Rights Bill? That is the point of the Advocate message. The time has come for members of the GLBT community to receive the same basic human and civil rights as others; black, white, male, female, Asian, Latino (my apologies for not including everyone, but you’d be reading for days).

Bottom Line – Since they are just like you, how come the laws, the morals, the churches, the judges and the employers don’t recognize it?

Join the Impact – 1 Million for Equality (http://jointheimpact.com/)

Retired After Hard Work, 2. Aspen Trees, 3. Moon / Luna, 4. happiness is a warm puppy (and a handful of them is even better), 5. jumping all night long...day 26 / year 2, 6. Long Island Iced Tea, 7. Entering Hyperspace, 8. In Her Shoes, 9. St. Elvis vanilla cupcakes with lemony buttercream!, 10. Timeless Beauty, 11. Colours that were my joy ..., 12. Flight13

The Fog

Fog by definition is “vapor condensed to fine particles of water suspended in the lower atmosphere that differs from cloud only in being near the ground”; so essentially a cloud on the ground rather than in the sky – a cloud you can walk through rather than fly though; just a cloud.

The “weather gods” – Zeus and Anemoi, came together today in a perfect form of weather – the great fog of 2008. To pull a line from my late grandmother “I’ve never seen anything like that…in all my life”. When I say perfect weather, can you sense the sarcasm in my voice? The sarcasm defines perfect weather as bad or unpleasant weather that only occurs during non-working hours and enjoyable weather that occurs during working hours. It’s like the perfect storm. Today was no different.

It was raining this morning when I walked my dogs. It stopped as I pulled into my parking space. It was raining when I went to lunch. It stopped as I pulled into my parking space. For the last hour of work all I heard about was this intense fog. INTENSE fog. Of course, just in time for the evening commute; not that I have a very long or difficult commute, but still, just in time. The fog was so thick that I could bear see my hand in front of my face, or the road I was attempting to drive on. SO THICK.

Modern cars have “fog lights”, I guess they did some research that headlights gave insufficient lighting in foggy conditions. Why not add fog lights – designed specifically for foggy conditions. It makes sense, like intermittent windshield wipers (thanks Robert Kearns). I suppose I’m lucky enough to have fog lamps (as they are called in twenty 08) standard on my Jeep, at least I thought I was lucky enough. Not that I don’t think fog lamps make my Jeep look awesome – either on or off. So tonight, I lost my fog lamp virginity! I pulled the lever that controls my headlights and WHAM – fog lamps! I really thought I was going to be able to see for miles, go speeding by all the other suckers without fog lamps – NOPE! They didn’t do anything – not a thing. I didn’t see anything more; nothing was clearer, brighter or easier. It was still just as hard to drive home, even with my standard fog lamps. The only saving grace in this whole story is I didn’t pay extra from my fog lamps!

"the change we need"

November 4th, 2008 - it was historical, it was a day of firsts and it was a day of major change. I don't believe it was just about republic vs. democrat or McCain vs. Obama, but it was about same vs. new, status quo vs. change. It was an election that the world will remember for the rest of time, it was the day when America made a historical choice, against such a strong history of discrimination and status quo.

I'm not sure who really was the best candidate, who told more acceptable lies or who developed the best plan for this great nation, but I know that it was historical and a great moment in American history. A moment that many Americans never thought was possible.

Over the past week there has been a lot of media; bashing Sarah Palin for her outlandish spending, McCain saying Palin wasn't his ideal choice and blaming her for his loss. Others critical of Obama's plan for the 4 years, fearing higher taxes, less small businesses and the concept of "socialism". It's hard to say who is right and wrong and more so why. It was a race, there had to be a winning side and a lossing side - it was impossible to make everyone happy.

The Amercian people have spoken, the ballots are in and counted and the winner was announced. The question now is can American get behind President-elect Obama? Clearly this election divided the country, can we come together now, in the aftermath, as one nation, standing behind the leader who was elected? If not - why hold elections? Why allow for votes to be cast, debates to be had, and people to choose? Why not have it directed to us, without our input? I understand that people are scared for the future, it's a scary time, there are a lot of unknowns, but I believe that any new leader has to overcome challenges left in his seat. It is fair to make a decision about President-elect Obama without even seeing what he can do, how he wants to do it and what change he will bring about?

If we can't come together, as one nation, we will surely fail. That failure however will not be the failure of President Obama but of America. Right or wrong, happy or unhappy, he deserves the support and paryers of all Americans. The road will be long, bummy and uncertain, the only way we as a country can get to the end, is by riding on the same bus.

Join me, as I celebrate my 28th birthday and the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of American on Jan 20, 2009 in our nations capital.

Halloween the New Christmas

Really people, do we have to treat Halloween like Christmas and put out lights WEEKS before? Weeks, not days or day of (I'm down with a few cob webs, creapy things on the lawn, random lights) but not weeks before. It's stupid and this is economy, just a waste of money.

I heard on the radio today an accurate count of shopping days until Halloween....shopping days. Days left to get the best candy, because you know as well as I do, if you wait until 10/31 to get a bag of candy, you're house has a much higher chance of being egged.

Halloween is 2008's economy stimulus, not gieco, not the extra tax refund you got in April - HALLOWEEN.

Let's talk about those halloween shops that swoop into your local shopping center and are only around for 1 month. How does any commerical store lease for only 1 month. Christmas shops don't act this way, what about Easter shops? It's all for Halloween, is that even a holiday? Or maybe that a better holiday - everyone can participate in Halloween, except for those people who use the "against my religon" excuse for anything.

I'm guilty of buying cob webs for my front bushes and window clings...I don't even like Halloween. But at least I'm not putting it up until 10/30.

tagged, by myself (thanks Bobbi)

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
1998 - I was a senior in high school in New Jersey. I had bought my first car, was co-chairman of the prom committee where my biggest decision was picking colors! I had been accepted into the college and was just waiting out my remaining days as a Long Beach Island local.

2. 5 things I did today:
- got totally freaked out by a huge spider in my shower
- walked my dogs (twice)
- wasted time at work facebooking (is that a word)
- crunched some numbers (not my strongest skill so it took a while)
- helped Maureen McCormmick pay for a new skirt by buying her new book

3. What snacks do I enjoy?
Chips and fresh salsa (it's worth the extra money) and mini-snickers bars stashed in my desk drawer

4. What I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire:
Go on a major shopping spree, not think about buying a house or saving for the future down fall of the economy. Get Presely a new sweater - something really nice and expensive, maybe cashmere (do they make dog clothes out of cashmere?). Pay off my student loans even though I'd waste my education because of my recent fast income.

5. 3 bad habits:
- rather than trimming my finger nails, I trim the skin around my nails to the point of drawing blood
- leaving soda cans (mostly half full) all over the house, including at times in bathrooms
- i'm perfect, i can only think of two

6. 5 jobs I've had:
- tee-shirt shop manager
- waitress/bartender/manager
- recruiter (not a time I love to talk about)
- hr manager (maybe that title is a bit inflated, but they keep telling me it's happening soon)
- dog walker - but I don't get paid

7. 5 things people don't know about me:
- i don't know how to drive a stick shift
- i can't swim and i don't like to pretend
- i never saw Dinsey's Mulian (did anyone?)
- i'm not emotionally ready to have a kid
- i'm easily annoyed by others (yeah right, you knew that)

Fuel for thought...

I opened a savings account, not because I'm scared of the current state of the economy, not because I think things will only get worse in the US if McCain/Palin win the election, but to save money...for a scooter! No matter who wins the election, we will still depend on other nations for our gas supply right, why not plan ahead. I know what you're thinking - you don't own a home. I'm not thinking about home ownership. Why buy a home when I'm 100% happy with my current living situation. I don't plan on moving out of this house anytime soon, and in the event that Bobbie ties the knot, I don't think it's unreasonable to stay onboard as part of the family.

So back to the scooter - don't laugh. It's a solution to common problem. I live close to work, I care about the environment, not to mention, scooters are the coolest thing ever and the best way to travel locally. It's a bike, without the need to pedel - it's a bike for lazy people. Poke fun if you must, but I know you will be lining up for a free ride.

Purchasing the scooter isn't the largest cost, there are so many "special" things I'll need. Goggles, helmet, side-car for Presely...the list goes on and on. I understand that Maryland has no helmet law (at least for low power scooters) - if nothing else I like the idea of pulling up to a place, having the whole parking lot looking at you, and pulling off the helmet and letting my hair down. It's like a scene from a movie - staring ME!!

Don't dude likes chicks with bikes? Do scooters count?