Parliament of Rooks

In which the one of the finer details is worked out...

2010-01-31T21:07:00.000-05:00

So, POTUS has said that he'd really like to work with congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Great news, no? Now, Sec. of Defense Gates and the DOD are saying it will take years to get there. Did I drink too much punch last night? It'll take years to END a policy of bigotry and fear which forces men and women out of service to their country? I think we're about as likely to get the (mostly) straight-white-geezers to grant equality to gay people in the military as getting Rush Limbaugh to give us some Valium. Not an impossibility, but pretty darn close. Now, I know that people are afraid of change. But, what concerns me more is the lack of common sense. John Boehner would like us to wait on this issue because, "we're in the middle of two wars..." I'd urge the Minority Leader to get out of Washington and talk to some troops. Most preferably, those who were born in the second half of the 20th Century. It is exactly because we are in need of troops (and linguists, and supply chain specialists, and medics) that this policy should be repealed faster, not slower. If only there were a way to make the rank and file of the military do what the Commander In Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces has said that he wants them to do... But, I know, that seems to be asking too much. An 8 second phone call (Hello, Secretary Gates? This is the CIC, and I'm issuing a stop-loss order) can be especially taxing on one's schedule. Maybe next year.

09? About time...

2010-01-03T19:36:00.000-05:00

2010 is here, and I'm thrilled. 2009 was a bizarre year full of ups and downs and I won't be losing any sleep over tossing my old calendar. On the low side--my father died, my relationship collapsed, and I moved to a new place. But, I got published, worked through a couple of chapters of my thesis, and went to Bisbee, Arizona for a summer fellowship. And, just to keep it interesting and busy, I made some new friends, had a writing workshop with Mark Doty, and interned at the KSU Writing Center. I watched in awe and disgust as Prop8 passed, and then shuddered as more states passed laws to deny equal treatment to me and my gay brothers and sisters. But, it wasn't all bad. We gained some new allies (Adam Lambert, Barack Obama, Dan Choi) and after one long year, I re-learned that success is an ongoing process. This holds true in one's personal life, academia, and the job market. We don't always get what we want, when we want it, and perhaps this is as it should be. Maybe we need to strive for more, push a little harder, try a little bit more to create the change that we want to see in the world. I, for one, am ready, able, and willing to face the challenges of tomorrow. 2010, bring it on.

Houston, Nevada, Tigers and 'bergs.

2009-12-14T20:12:00.002-05:00

Congratulations go out to Annise Parker! Great news from Houston, Texas came in today. I love that we've now got a large city with an openly lesbian mayor. She's experienced, talented, and well-respected. A true win for the Lonestar State, and the community. In keeping with the news focus this just in from Nevada--men are now allowed to work in brothels!! I'm not saying *Woo-Hoo Go Brothels*, but anytime discrimination keeps a group of people from gainful (and legal) employment we all lose. So, good for Nevada, and cheers to the smart thinking of one very smart brothel owner. Speaking of questionable moral choice making, can we please move past cheating spouses? It isn't news. Well, it isn't news to me. It apparently is news to his wife, one (or more) of his girlfriends, and his caddy. His caddy? Our duly elected representatives in Congress are debating the merits of moving towards a more encompassing health care plan, and the news wants to interview his caddy? Um, no. Let's get a clue and keep public discourse focused on more pressing items. Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, healthcare, and global warming come to my mind. But, perhaps this is all due to the fact that it's December and pushing 50 degrees in Ohio, and there's a huge iceberg headed to Australia. Wonder what Tiger would do about it...

You are not alone.

2009-12-05T17:33:00.000-05:00

Okay, so, if you've been to Northeastern Ohio, you understand that days like today are made for curling up on the couch, pulling out a great book, and reading the afternoon away. Too chilly to walk around outside (for very long) and so I stay indoors, feet safely tucked underneath an OSU blanket. SO, while I love my current read (People of the Book) and my two cats, I have to admit, I'm a little lonely. I enjoy my own company, and love being able to set my own hours for typing--but I'd be lying if I said being single was all joy, all the time. So, in an effort to bolster myself (and for all my friends) I went hunting for a quote that would help fill the void. A voice that comforts and encourages. So, for all of my friends hanging around out there, having a similar day/feeling/emotion, take heart. K. Vonnegut to the rescue...
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"

Cyber Monday's to do list...

2009-11-30T21:06:00.001-05:00

I admit it. I'm a writer. There, I said it. I can't pass up an opportunity to write. Really. I've tried to stop, I thought it might be a phase, and even tried other hobbies. But, the reality is I'm a writer. Whether prose or poetry, po-mo or classic, I'm there, typing away. So, when you're reading this, please note, I wrote it. My parents know I'm a writer, as do my friends, and my professors, and my neighbor. (Well, okay, he never actually asked me, but he looks at me like he knows. So, we'll assume he does. He probably hears the typing.) When people ask me, "What do you do?" I'm going to answer with all the moxie I can muster. I'm a writer.