Every once in a while, I walk into my apartment and I think about how sick I am of looking at things the same way. It's time to re-arrange a little. I think that for a while, and nothing ever happens with it, and it ends up on To Do lists for multiple weeks and then just fades away off of them until the urge strikes again, and the cycle just keeps repeating itself. Well, my parents were in town this weekend, and I finally got rid of a bulky piece of furniture (they wanted it for the house) which meant I spent the rest of last night and this afternoon plotting and rearranging my living room. I actually really like, or will once all the clutter is put back. It makes the living room look a little smaller, but that's okay in the grand scheme of things. It's okay because I finally made a change, instead of just putting it on the To Do list week after week.
Hooray for change!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Isn't it Ironic...
don'tcha think? So, yesterday being the 10th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death, I decided to wear my Erase Hate Matthew Shepard foundation pendant today, instead of the usual star I wear around my neck. I didn't think too much about it, and got several compliments on it throughout the day. I'm way out the closet at work, so I really wasn't worried about it.
Anyway, I'm done with work and taking the subway to the gym at around 6ish, and as I'm walking the three blocks from the subway to the gym, some little punk ass kid passing by is like "Nice necklace FAGGOT," which of course triggers laughter from him and his friends. I just said thanks and kept walking.
It's ironic to me though that I can be wearing a pendant designed to promote tolerance and erase hate and get called a hateful name. I called a friend on the west coast and chuckled at the irony of it all...it wasn't the only irony of the day, but it was the most thought provoking.
Anyway, I'm done with work and taking the subway to the gym at around 6ish, and as I'm walking the three blocks from the subway to the gym, some little punk ass kid passing by is like "Nice necklace FAGGOT," which of course triggers laughter from him and his friends. I just said thanks and kept walking.
It's ironic to me though that I can be wearing a pendant designed to promote tolerance and erase hate and get called a hateful name. I called a friend on the west coast and chuckled at the irony of it all...it wasn't the only irony of the day, but it was the most thought provoking.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Where were you?
Where were you 10 years ago, when it became about more than just Laramie? When the world stood still because a young boy died, because he was beaten to death for who he was, when Live and Let Live no longer applied in Laramie. It was 10 years ago today that Matthew Shepard died, after suffering for a week in a coma.
I will always remember where I was when I heard of the beating and of Matthew's death. For me, it will be a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life, much like my mother remembers where she was when JFK was shot. I was working on a college campus in MA, and I was the only OUT gay, lesbian, bisexual faculty or staff member. I was advising the campus LGBT group and trying to impress upon college age GLBT kids that the world was just and right. How do you do that when something like Matthew happens? How can life possibly go on?
It goes on, because it has to, so there will be fewer Matthews taken away from their mothers and fathers. So fewer of us will be the victim of a hate crime, so fewer of us will have to cry when something senseless like this happens. So fewer of us will hear FAG growing up. So more of us will have the courage to come out and be who we really are.
Life goes on SO there wont be another Matthew. SO THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. We need to do more to ERASE HATE, the government has failed to act in 10 years (a decade) to protect it's LGBT citizens from this type of attack. The government has encouraged hatred of not just it's LGBT citizens, but it's citizens that are not white, those that weren't born here in this country, it has, in every sense just encouraged HATRED.
ERASE HATE - please, all of our lives depend on it.
For more information, please visit the Matthew Shepard Foundation at
www.matthewshepard.org
and together we can help ERASE HATE.
I will always remember where I was when I heard of the beating and of Matthew's death. For me, it will be a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life, much like my mother remembers where she was when JFK was shot. I was working on a college campus in MA, and I was the only OUT gay, lesbian, bisexual faculty or staff member. I was advising the campus LGBT group and trying to impress upon college age GLBT kids that the world was just and right. How do you do that when something like Matthew happens? How can life possibly go on?
It goes on, because it has to, so there will be fewer Matthews taken away from their mothers and fathers. So fewer of us will be the victim of a hate crime, so fewer of us will have to cry when something senseless like this happens. So fewer of us will hear FAG growing up. So more of us will have the courage to come out and be who we really are.
Life goes on SO there wont be another Matthew. SO THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. We need to do more to ERASE HATE, the government has failed to act in 10 years (a decade) to protect it's LGBT citizens from this type of attack. The government has encouraged hatred of not just it's LGBT citizens, but it's citizens that are not white, those that weren't born here in this country, it has, in every sense just encouraged HATRED.
ERASE HATE - please, all of our lives depend on it.
For more information, please visit the Matthew Shepard Foundation at
www.matthewshepard.org
and together we can help ERASE HATE.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
shut up already...
I really hate to say it. maybe I'm crabby. maybe I had a rough day. maybe I just have been in nyc too long. lately though, I am really annoyed by the "acts" that play music, dance or perform in some fashion or another on subway platforms, or even worse, on the trains themselves, and then ask for donations.
I'm on a CROWDED train on the way to the gym after work, and it's packed, and these four kids rush on, and want to perform their new dance/clap/shout routine. One, I don't want to hear that, and if I did, I would know where to go and find it. Two, pick a train that's not running at capacity at rush hour. Three, don't ask for donations, just let them come to you if it's meant to be.
like I said, maybe I just had a bad day, or maybe I have been in nyc too long...but I don't want or need to be hit up for money by amateur hour on the subway.
I'm on a CROWDED train on the way to the gym after work, and it's packed, and these four kids rush on, and want to perform their new dance/clap/shout routine. One, I don't want to hear that, and if I did, I would know where to go and find it. Two, pick a train that's not running at capacity at rush hour. Three, don't ask for donations, just let them come to you if it's meant to be.
like I said, maybe I just had a bad day, or maybe I have been in nyc too long...but I don't want or need to be hit up for money by amateur hour on the subway.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Dating...
I'm often times left wondering if dating is possible in the big city. Should I have stayed in suburbia if I wanted to find a relationship and date, or can I have my career, the great nyc life and date in the city too?
I've dated a few guys since I lived here. Most were great, some weren't. Even in a relationship, whether it's casual, starting out, getting serious or already there, I have found that 8 out of 10 times, one person always has their eye on the door, waiting for the next best thing to walk through the door. That's no way to be in a relationship.
I get a little jealous and lonely lately, as all my friends seem to have found bliss with someone. It's a constant reminder that I'm still single and alone. I had tickets to a great show recently, two shows actually in one week (perk of the job) and went with friends to both, was kind of depressing.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wish my friends single, I want them happy, it's just depressing to constantly be reminded that you're the third, fifth, seventh, etc wheel!
I've dated a few guys since I lived here. Most were great, some weren't. Even in a relationship, whether it's casual, starting out, getting serious or already there, I have found that 8 out of 10 times, one person always has their eye on the door, waiting for the next best thing to walk through the door. That's no way to be in a relationship.
I get a little jealous and lonely lately, as all my friends seem to have found bliss with someone. It's a constant reminder that I'm still single and alone. I had tickets to a great show recently, two shows actually in one week (perk of the job) and went with friends to both, was kind of depressing.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wish my friends single, I want them happy, it's just depressing to constantly be reminded that you're the third, fifth, seventh, etc wheel!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
okay...it's cheating...
and it's totally a line from Billy Elliot the musical, but I just want all my friends to remember that:
You are very fucking special, now piss off before I start to cry!
and go see Billy...totally amazing show...and yes, I am biased!
You are very fucking special, now piss off before I start to cry!
and go see Billy...totally amazing show...and yes, I am biased!
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