- Oh check it out- April 1st is national "I'm Embarrased by my President Day". Wear a brown ribbon to protest the bullshit. More info here. Awww yeah!
- Oy vey. I ate too much. Icks.
So, where did I leave off? Oh yeah. Thursday night. I did indeed brave the Pittsburgh queer scene all by my lonesome. Go me. Went to Pegs, it was dead. Walked to Images. Got chatted up by a tranny prostitute and a couple o straight boys on the way. So glad I bout myself pepper spray for Christmas. Fo real. Creepy people on liberty. Anyways, ran into Jimmy and his boy at Images. Chatted with them for a bit. Talked to Vern from Yuppies. Met Diane and Lexy from the big dykes AOL club thingy I used to be a member of. Went back to Pegs. Ran into the 21 year old. Oh yay. "Sorry I didn't email you, I got kicked out of my mom's house..." wah wah wah blah blah blah. Do I look like I want to deal with your drama? Um no. Step da hell off. Sorry bout yo luck. Oh, and I saw Ryan at Pegs. He bought me a beer. What a sweetie that boy is.
Last night was originally supposed to be an Ama night. Obviously that didn't happen. Prolly better that way. So, anyways, decided boozin night with Eth cuz well, thats what I do best right? lol Was gonna meet him and Ms. Stiffey at Donny's, but they left to pick up Rose before I got there, so I ended up chattin with Veda and Miranda. Not sure what to think bout that Veda chick. Fun to talk to, but big red warning lights flashin ALL over the place, lol. Danger Will Robinson! But as I said before, ain't goin there anyways, so all good. Ended up staying at Donnys for quite awhile. Didn't get to Pegs till 11-11:30. Met Eth an Rose there. They're drunk. Did shots. Heckled the people in the big gay idol show thingy they were puttin on. And the drag queens. We have many many terribly tragic drag queens in da burgh lemme tell ya. Tragic. But at least they tuck properly. Nothing worse than a drag queen with a bulge, ya know? Eww.
So, finally the shows over and its time to dance. Woot woot! So I grab some random gay boy (damn, I WAS drunk, lol), tell him were dancing, and off we go. So we're dancin. And he says to me "are you a girl?" K, honey, open your eyes. Now I realize that I don't have the biggest tits in the world. I know this. But I sure as hell ain't flat, and I had the girls all on display last night. Like wake the fuck up people. Seriously. *shrug* Maybe he thought I was a drag queen, lol. So, yeah, blew him off, went back and found Eth an Rose, drank more, then out to dance more. And who should I happen to see but the german exchange student chicka I met a couple weeks back. So, dancing with her. Her name's Vanessa BTW. Which I only know cuz she wrote it down. I can only understand like every 3rd word that comes out of her mouth, lol. Course Pegs is loud, so I only hear every third word. She was fun tho. Supposed to call me. As we all know, they never call. But made for a fun night out anyways.
Tonight we're supposed to be going to christen the new gay bar in the area. Its called Links I think, and in Irwin somewhere, which I've been told is right next to KKK central, so should be interesting. I'm hopin they have a dance floor and kick ass DJ. We need more dancin in da burgh.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
- Its Thursday night. I have spent the evening home. Alone. Watching TV. How's THAT for twilight zone huh? Of course I can't say I'm all that terribly surprised. But fuckitall anyways right? lol Anyways, the reson I am blogging at 10 pm on a Thursday is cuz I just watched the coolest show. Wonderfalls. Ya seen it? Yeah, I know you've seen the commercials, with the creamer talking to the chick and it looks minorly amusing, but a lil too freaky right? Yeah, well you're wrong. Its funny as HELL! The main character is this cynical angsty bitch (yes, they are my favorite. thanks for asking). So, she chokes on a sammich, gets biffed in the back of the head with a quarter, and suddenly things start talking to her. Like inanimate things. Like a disfigured wax lion. I know, sounds creepy, but trust me, its funny. AND there's a lesbian! Woot woot! Angst girl's sister came out and hooked up with some chick in an emergency room. Hey, least someone hooked up right? So, yeah, anyways, watch the show. Its on Fridays at 9. Eastern time that is. Now I think I'm goin to the bar. Back to your regularly scheduled program ;o)
- 15 Years Ago, I:
1. learned how to drive
2. was beginning to freak out about graduating high school
3. heard the Indigo Girls for the first time. Prompty fell in love with Amy Ray. But I wasn't gay. No I wasn't. Huh uh.
4. Was still a virgin
5. Met Tamy. Promptly fell in love with her too. I WAS NOT gay! lol
10 Years Ago, I:
1. Drank my fist legal beer
2. Started playing guitar
3. Won the SVC Womens intramural football chamionship. GO SPI! WOOT WOOT!
4. began to plot how to get rid of my first girlfriend. Not get rid of in a sleep with the fishes kinda way, get rid of in the get the fuck out of my life you fucking psychopathic controlling bitch kinda way.
5. Was still in love with Amy Ray
5 Years Ago, I:
1. Got dumped by a coke head. Hmm... reoccurring theme maybe? lol
2. worked out 3 times a week.
3. had long hair
4. saw Bound. Wasn't impressed.
5. was still in love with Amy Ray
3 Years Ago, I:
1. moved back from South Carolina
2. had been married for over a year
3. was unemployed for 10 months
4. was completely miserable
5. Still loved Amy Ray. heh
1 Year Ago, I:
1. Found out my wife was having a "cyber affair" and was planning on moving to Australia to be with her on-line love. And her on-line love's girlfriend. Yeah, she's a bright one, lol.
2. Bleached my hair
3. Gave myself a crew cut
4. Met one of my bestest friends
5. was still miserable.
Yesterday, I:
1. dyed my hair green
2. got free mints
3. drank green beer
4. jammed to "Willing To Wait" by Melissa Ferrick in a monumental way
5. bought glittery rasberry flavored lip gloss. mmmm... sexy!
Today, I:
1. Slacked. a lot.
2. almost cried
3. wrote a lot of emails
4. had a minor hangover
5. smoked too much
Tomorrow, I:
1. will not have to go to work. YAY!!!
2. might go to the museum
3. might not go to the museum
4. might go clubbin
5. might not go clubbin
- Why My Friends Rock
or Rach is da bomb dig!
So dig it. Rach sent me a fwd she had received and her response. Check her out. You go girl!
The Forward:
Subject: OUR TROOPS
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 12:29:11 -0500
I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with longneck beers and sizzling platters.
Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.
Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home to me.
I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.
"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."
I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.
Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. "It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmph! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."
My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.
"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."
Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?
I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.
"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby killers we call a military."
Professional baby killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.
That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.
Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, I smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."
"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."
I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right. "Yes, thank you," I replied. Then turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."
As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.
After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check,the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."
With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."
As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day.
Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.
As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"
(*Lori Kimble is a 31 year old teacher and proud military wife. A California native, Mrs. Kimble currently lives in Alabama)
**NOTE: this was followed by the typical pray for our troops rah rah stuff. I edited it out cuz it was too damn long. **
Rach's response:
Just sharing my point of view.....
I fully support our troops. They are doing their jobs. I just don't understand, when you get past the emotion of husbands and wives leaving each other and how sad that is, why we are there in the first place. Sure, it's more complex then a bunch of loud women debating at a table (which I suspect is an emotion-inducing story someone made up and started forwarding around to make their point)--and some anti-war people can be pretty obnoxious--it's inappropriate to protest at the time and place where families are watching their loved ones go off to war such as at a military base during deployment. BUT the fact is....the "facts" presented to the American people as to why we went to war in the first place are shaky at best. The reasons being given now, after we failed to find weapons of mass destruction, just don't make sense and are frankly not good enough to justify, in my eyes, why our troops--brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, friends, sons and daughters--are still dying every day--not to mention thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens. If one of them were my family member I would support them and love them and respect them for their bravery, but I would have even stronger questions for President Bush. In other words, I wouldn't protest to these families, but to be sure, I'd have some STRONG questions for the leadership of this country. Not to mention that I do not trust President Bush and I question his motives at every step. If this makes me a bad American in your or anyone else's eyes, then I don't know what happened to America. If it makes me unpatriotic to question our leaders....if dissent makes me anti-American...then I don't know what it means to be American anymore. Trampling on civil liberties in the name of security is the hallmark of a free society moving towards an Orwellian, totalitarian state. And the first step in that process is to equate dissent with "treason" or "lack of patriotism." The same thing happened in Germany as the Nazis came to power, in Russia with the formation of the KGB, and currently happens in China. The President and his cronies are pulling the wool over our eyes and leading us down a very dangerous pathway by trying to keep us afraid of the terrorists and then promising to protect us as long as we follow their every whim without question and hand over our civil liberties on a silver platter. Just my point of view, but I highly suggest checking out these links. It's very interesting reading if nothing else. I learned a lot from them.
http://www.cronus.com/warmonger/
http://www.cronus.com/oil/
http://www.cronus.com/terrorism/
Hope you have a good day.
Rachel
How hard does she rock! I love my friends!!
As per requested, here's the fwd girls response to Rach:
Rachel,
Your email is very insightful into what you believe and how strongly you believe it. I don't have to agree with you and you don't have to agree with me, but I guess that's the beauty of America. Tolerance in America means that I can respect you but not agree with you one bit, and vice versa. And that's all I have time to write because I'm at work.
Lil snarky, no?
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
- Well, its a whole new day. And at least it isn't snowing. Much.
Actually, I am in a pretty good mood today. Huge mega massive improvement over yesterday. I only have one major bitch today. Well, ok, yeah, I have more than one, but I'm only gonna tell ya bout the one. Microsoft Access sucks. The developers at Miscrosoft should be drawn and quartered. That is all.
So I'm supposed to be getting together with Ama tonight. Was going to bypass the whole St. Paddys day thing, but think I'll try to convince her to go downtown for a little bit. There are people expecting me down there, and I'd be a bit of an ass if I didn't go. Might even leave work early so as to get hair dye an such. My coworkers have expressed great disappointment that I didn't show up this morning looking like a chia pet. I'm like the resident sideshow here. Step right up folks! See the green haired lesbo freak for only a quarter! Heh.
Emily poem o the day:
Within my reach!
I could have touched!
I might have chanced that way!
Soft sauntered thro' the village-
Sauntered as soft away!
So unsuspected Violets
Within the meadows go-
Too late for striving fingers
That passed, an hour ago!
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
- Yeah, so my day sucked. Shock. Much better now tho. It has stopped snowing (bout fuckin time!), I got much work done today, AND as an extra added bonus to my day, I found a monsterous archive of Emily Dickinson poems. I do so dig her. If you're interested, you can find the archive here (thanks to Thistle, via FrogBlog comments).
Poem o the day:
Could I-then-shut the door-
Lest my beseeching face-at last-
Rejected-be-of Her?
All time fav Emily poem:
For each ecstatic instant
We must an anguish pay
In keen and quivering ration
To the ecstasy.
For each beloved hour
Sharp pittances of years-
Bitter contested farthings-
And Coffers heaped with Tears!
She was such a dyke!
- I lied. It isn't snowing. It is raining down little balls o ice that the wind turns into tiny projectiles of death. I shoulda stayed in bed.
- WARNING: CRANKINESS FOLLOWS
Things that are pissing me off today:
1. It is fucking snowing. Again.
2. The Ms. Boards have been taken over by assholes.
3. I forgot to grab a flannel and will therefore freeze my ass off all fucking day.
4. It is inevitable that the bean counting asshat will stick his head in my cubicle sometime today and comment that I've been typing alot. Fair warning Mr. Bean Counter- I may well club your ignorant ass with whatever implement is handy at the time. Proceed at your own risk.
5. Did I mention that its snowing?
6. Amy Ray was losing her voice last night, so the show wasn't quite up to par. But was still the girls, so ok I guess.
7. Speaking of Amy Ray, she still hasn't realized that she's destined to be my wife. Yo Amy, what up wit dat?
8. Its only Tuesday.
9. Winamp sucks ass in the most heinous way. Like hell-fuckin-o I can't even blog and listen to music? Fuckers. Can't leave well enough alone.
10. I can't even listen to my own damn radio station due to the asshat motherfuckers responsibe for #9. Fuck it, gonna uninstall and get a new player. Fuck you, you fucking fucks. Heh.
K, feel slightly better now that I've spewed venom all over cyberspace. Gonna install my new player and feed myself a steady diet of Noe Venable and the soundtrack to All Over Me. Aww yeah. Will post more when I feel a bit more human. Or have more venom. Whichever comes first.
Monday, March 15, 2004
- Yeah, I know, I know, I skipped a day. Sue me. Not much on the update today. Went bar hopping with Eth on Saturday night. New York New York first. Was boring, as always, so we had one and bolted. Hit Donny's next. Was cool. Saw some old Zebra buddies. Met some chick named Gabrielle that Eth was talking to. Somehow she knew that we knew Veda (who is the tatooed chick I told ya bout a couple weeks ago that gave me her number. The one I ain't callin cuz she seems a lil too wiccan for me). Anyways, that was kinda weird, cuz we only met Veda that one time and had never met Gabrielle before at all. Strange. Donnys DJ sucks ass BTW. They seriously need to get a decent DJ in there. Could kick ass. NE ways, stayed at Donny's for a couple drinks, then on to the Eagle. Yeah, scary people. Lots o girls, which is kinda strange. There was a drag show at midnight, but we didn't stay for it. Was none too impressed with the crowd. Then on to Pegs, as usual. Saw Steve and his girls. Creepy New Years Eve dancin girl was there. Yeah, she was gettin all shades of freaky with some black guy. Steve wanted me to go dance with her, so as to save her from hetero lovin. Um, no fucking chance in hell am I dancing with that freak. Sorry. She freaked me out bad enough when she was dancin on me, now you expect me to go near her when she's been grinding on some guy for the past who knows how long? Um, no. No fuckin thanks. I have enough drama in my life without some random guy gettin in my face cuz I cock blocked him, lol.
Yesterday was pretty low key. Went to mom's, had dinner, BS'd. Came home and napped cuz I was beat ass tired. Got up round 9:30 so as to not miss the L word. Last night's ep was a bummer. Stayed up chattin till midnight. Got my happy ass up at quarter to 5 this morn, so I could be at work early. I'm leaving at 4 today so I can get ready for the girls concert. Woot woot! Actually, I should be a lot more excited than I am. Oh well, maybe it'll kick in later.