Rainbow Suspenders

I started yesterday perfectly, with Joni Mitchell's gorgeous voice filling the air, and an extra hot, extra long shower. I kept Anderson since Megan was sick, and he was wonderful. He was only awake for about an hour the whole day, but he grinned at me that whole time and made me one very happy aunt. Here's a one minute video of my dad and sister making ridiculous noises and Anderson making adorable faces, just for kicks:

Anyway... I came across a pair of rainbow suspenders while at the mall today, and made a stupid comment about buying them to wear every day (hardy har har). Lately I've been really aware of how much time I spend talking, thinking, and/or reading about homosexuality. And all of my other moments are spent being homosexual. I just thought I should let all of my loved ones know: I realize this is a lot of gay for you to handle. You are wonderful and I appreciate you so much! You're going to have to deal with it for awhile, though. I've denied this vital part of myself for a very long time, and I'm still really excited about the changes I've seen in myself since I decided I'm okay with being a lesbian! I'm confident, I'm happy, I'm no longer terrified and ashamed of my feelings. This is HUGE!!! There are times when I feel like running around and telling everybody just how much I love being gay, so let's just all take comfort in the fact that I refrain from that, hahaha.

Since I've started down the rainbow path, I think I'll let it flow. I'm feeling super gay tonight, anyway. I purchased and learned to tie a tie the other day. Then I spent about two hours at Lowe's. I was fretting over how shaggy my hair feels in the back this morning (it's only an inch long!). What else? Oh yes, I bought two more button-up shirts and two belts today. Then I came home and moved a bunch of heavy boxes, then finished the night sawing and drilling and feeling good about myself. There you go: short hair, button-up shirts, carpentry, SUV... I am such a lesbian. :)

Why was I at Lowe's for two hours? For the last two years, I've been searching for a record shelf I like. I don't like the bookshelf-style option because I enjoy flipping through and looking at all the artwork. I finally tracked one down online, and it was over $350. So... I decided to build one. I added a slide-out shelf for my turntable, which I'm really glad I did. Approximately $100 and a few (read: several) hours of labor later, it is finished! Soon it will be placed in a new apartment, filled with records, and enjoy my daily, loving attention... Completing this thing gave me the sense of accomplishment I've been missing these last few months of unemployment, haha.

I Googled "OBU Pride" yesterday to see if those crazy Baptist queers are still around (apparently they're not) - in case you don't know, they're the organization responsible for bringing the SoulForce Equality Ride to OBU. I came across a blog that I just can't stop reading. It's actually a Xanga site, if that tells you anything about how old it is. I feel a little creepy pouring over it, because all I know is this guy went to OBU, his name is Chris, he lives in WI, and he's 32 years old. Anyway, check this excerpt from an October 2006 post:

Wisconsin's most prominent advocate of The Marriage Amendment is Julaine Appling of the Family Research Institute. She has been quoted as saying:

"I think we've been extremely tolerant in allowing gay families to live wherever they choose."

This is dangerous rhetoric because it construes simple coexistence as a privilege that the community at large has the right to revoke at will. I agree that the community has the right to revoke or otherwise restrict the rights of people who pose a demonstrable threat--for instance, convicted sex offenders. Whether or not you approve of how gay people choose to construct the private spheres of their lives is irrevelant to whether you should respect their most basic human rights.

Ms. Appling's quotation suggests that only those who are already considered "normal" have an inherent right to exist and participate in society, and that they also have the unique right to decide who else gets to participate in those rights with them. This is actually true in practice; and that is precisely why we must fight it in the realm of ideas.

Preach, brother! There are so many people who think homosexuality is a choice; a sinful choice which somehow dismisses God's children from the requirement to love us as Christ loves them. But I guess I owe Mrs. Appling a thank you card for graciously allowing me to live wherever I like. Ugh. That was in 2006, when WI was voting to amend their constitution and ban gay marriage. The war rages on... If you've tolerated reading all of this so far, you're more than likely pro-marriage equality. So, please take a second to sign up as one of the Millions for Marriage Equality. It requires only your name, email, and zip code. In about 15 seconds you can express your support for basic civil rights for ALL people - support the HRC can use to convince our idiot politicians that America is ready for equality.

That's probably enough ranting for one night... I'll leave you with an STD and a promise that the next post will be light-hearted and entertaining!

STD: The Strokes - Angles Their first release in 5 years, and worth the wait! It's a little more pop than previous records, and is pretty upbeat overall. I like it more every time I listen to it. I have a huge crush on Julian Casablancas that I can't seem to squelch. His voice is gorgeous - he simultaneously sounds perfect and like he doesn't give a shit. But it's more than that...I think he's attractive. He does kind of look like a lesbian, doesn't he?