Music, Politics, Work Life

I haven't read up much on this whole Occupy Wallstreet Movement, but I think it's awesome.  This country is in need of a major overhaul and I'm happy that "someone" finally had the balls and wherewithall to stand up and say something.  This movement is the perfect example of a small group of people affecting big change.  I kind of wish I could go out and stand with them... but I have bills to pay... and we all know how that goes.

If you've ever read my blog or know me at all, you know how much I love music.  One of my favorite bands is Rise Against, and if you've never heard their stuff and enjoy punk/rock, you should give them a listen.  Their music is very politically charged and carries lots of great messages, so I urge you to listen carefully.  Most people are familiar with their song "Make It Stop (September's Children)" which is about the epidemic of teen suicides last year.  Anyway, their latest video (I think) is for the song "Satellite" which happens to be my favorite song on their latest album.  Watch the video, but listen to the lyrics.  Pretty powerful stuff.  I'd love to hear what you think about it, especially in light of the Occupy Wallstreet Movment!

My favorite verse from the song:

That's why we stick to your game plans and party lines
But at night we're conspiring by candle light
We are the orphans of the American Dream

So shine your light on me

In other news, I'm still missing my man.  I know I've said it before, but long distance sucks.  It's completely overrated.  I don't think I'll be seeing him for another month or two, and it's quite possible I might lose my mind before then.  If I go MIA, send in reinforcements.  I'll need them.

It's weird how I've had a total mental shift regarding work recently.  Things are so different... in a good way.  It's so refreshing to be challenged, feel like I'm valued and part of a team.  Relearning how to use my brain has been a challenge, but I'm enjoying every minute of it! The travel part of it still kind of sucks, but at least I don't dread it anymore.  It's also nice to have a timeline, a goal to work toward and a visible end in sight.  Anyway, enough with that.

I'm watching the CMAs tonight and Damn, there are a lot of super sexy country stars out there.  It seems there's also a lot of great new music that I'm going to have to check out!  Any suggestions?

Well, I'm off to bed.  Gotta get up early, pack my suitcase, and get the hell outta town.  That is, after putting in 6 hours at work, driving 2 hours to St. Louis and getting on a plane to fly home!

Hope y'all have a great week!

A Brand New Day

Wow, what a day! I started this post at the beginning of the day and was going to say a lot of things, but there isn't much left that hasn't already been said a gazillion times already. So, having said THAT, here's what I've got...


I am so proud today. I am so thankful to have witnessed this day in our history. I am so hopeful for what the future holds. I love that we are able to witness the love he and Michelle have for each other.


Now, a few random thoughts. The first dance between the President and Michelle was absolutely magical. Wow! After their first dance, they danced with a group of people on the stage... when that was done, President Obama (I just love typing that) went to grab a microphone. He spoke into it but it was obviously not turned on because he then started tapping it. I'm thinking that his thoughts at that moment were, "I'm the President now. Can someone turn on the effing mic?"

Honest Scrap - 10 Honest Things About Me

Elisha tagged me to do "honest scrap." I am posting ten honest things about myself and I’m supposed to tag 10 friends but I'm only tagging a few at the bottom.

Here goes nothin'...

1. I want my own house and I'm just about ready to do anything to get it.

2. I want a dog of my own who will love me... because Fergie doesn't.

3. I love to shop. Shopping is therapy for my soul. Even thought it's gotten me into a bit (or a humongous ton) of trouble because I can't control myself.

4. I don't know if I want to have kids. Some days I do, and then I hang around them for a while, and decide that I don't. (I don't know how Auri does it).

5. I am addicted to chocolate. I crave chocolate on a daily basis, and eat it on almost as often.

6. I despise intolerance of all kinds including: race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, and size.

7. I'm sick of the drama. I'm talking drama from everyone and everywhere. Live peacefully and the world will be a peaceful place.

8. I believe President Bush is the most incompetent man to have ever held the office of President. I am more than ecstatic when I think about this country being led by Barack Obama.

9. I believe there is more than one soul mate in the world for everyone and Auri is one of mine.

10. I need to make my health and my life my top priority.

Now you've been tagged: Auri, Odum, Noelle, Tracie, Country Wife, and Newlywed Central

March for Equality

Saturday morning was the National March for Equality and I went to it with Odum and Dale. We tried to recruit more of our crew, but all to no avail. Auri didn't want to take the kids because they weren't feeling well, and Miss Noelle sprained her ankle so she wasn't too keen on the idea of being on it all day. Totally understandable... not sure what everyone else was doing...
The rally started at 11:30 at the City & County Building in Salt Lake and then there was a march around the blocks of the SLC Library and the County Building. Once again, it was so amazing being surrounded by such positive energy (except for the "I say I'm a messenger of God, but really I'm just a giant butthole" people) ...I think the turnout ended up being around 3,000 people in all.
There were a ton of people who took signs with them and I got such a kick out of reading them. If you click on the picture above, it will enlarge and you can read some of the signs. One of them says, "I can see discrimin8tion from my house," and there was another that said, "I'm Joe the Fag." Obviously all politically charged... with good reason. When we got there a band was playing... they were awesome and I need to look them up and find out who they are. I'd definitley recommend their music. There were three or four speakers total and this picture below is of the last one, who I believe was the keynote speaker. His name is Jeff Key and he is an Iraq War Veteran and former Marine and was so great to listen to. His story was interesting and he really engaged the crowd. There was a 17-year-old kid who spoke prior to Jeff and he was awesome. I think his name was Elon Bartholomew (or something like that) and he spoke of his parents' divorce and the subsequent relationship that developed between his mom and her partner. I got teary...

The thing that finally did me in was seeing the sign the little girl is holding in this picture below. It says, "My best friend LOVES her two mommies." This little girl is maybe four years old. Maybe. And hello, let's think about this. She's four. She doesn't know the difference between gay and straight, black and white, male and female. Well, ok, maybe she knows her colors and that boys and girls are different, but she doesn't know about discrimination. Like all the stickers and sayings go, "No One Is Born A Bigot," and "Bigotry is Learned." I can assure you, this little girl's family is not going to teach her to discriminate, but they will teach her about what it means and why it's such an evil part of human nature. I don't know who this little girl is, so I hope her family isn't angry that I took her picture. I do know that her sign is what pushed me over the edge and I started bawling after I saw her.

And then, wouldn't you know it, Odum started crying.... and it was all downhill from there. Of course, the next person I happened to see was my therapist and her partner. I gave them both big hugs and then we started our march down the middle of 4th south and around the buildings. I told Odum the only time she sees me I'm bawling my eyes out. Oh well. It was for good reason. Not sure how to end this, other than, everyone in this country is entitled to their civil rights and the government and religious institutions should not have the authority to take them away - no matter what!

Don't Tell Me Who To Love

If I want to love a man, then damnit, I will love him with every piece of my soul regardless of what anyone says. If I want to love a woman, the same goes. (Just for the record, I want a man to love!) On Friday night there was a protest against Proposition 8 in downtown Salt Lake. I wanted to go, but wasn't sure if I'd have anyone to go with. Well, lo and behold, Odum, Dale and Jessica were all planning on going, so I was set.
I picked up Jessica from her house and planned on meeting Odum and Dale, as well as her cousin down there. Once we made our way to City Creek Park where the protest was being held, I was pretty sure we would never find anybody... there were so many people there, I was amazed. I think they said the final turn out was somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 people! In Salt Lake? Yeah, I know! We finally found Odum and Dale along with her cousin...but we never caught up with our other friends that were down there. Anyway, Jess and I had a hard time hearing the speakers because there were so many people, so we didn't really get the full effect, but the energy of the crowd was awesome. It was so great being surrounded by such a huge group of like-minded individuals who feel that overall, love is the most important thing in this world. Not religion, not politics, not money, not social status.
The one sign I saw that really got to me said something to the effect of, "No one has the right to tell my daughter who she can love." I'm not going to get into the issue any further, simply because I'm tired and having writer's block. But just know that I adamantly opposed Proposition 8 (even though I don't live in Cali) and I have major issues with those who supported it!!!!!
I honestly wish/hope/pray that I will be able to witness the option of marriage become a right to anyone and everyone in this country sometime in my life. Call it what you want... civil union, marriage, gobbledeegook, whatever... but there is no reason two people who love each other shouldn't be able to legally spend their lives together and reap the benefits of that union.
Enjoy the pictures I posted. This last one is of the crowd marching from the park to the LDS Church Office Building, and the bus stuck in the middle of the road. It was pretty funny... although, I know if I was stuck in my car in that traffic, I would have thrown a fit!

And to all my gay bungholes out there, I love you and support you in all you do!

I Just Witnessed History

9:10 PM - approximately
Ok, I'm watching the election coverage... seriously, who isn't?

And I'd like to say that Barack Obama has just been projected to win the Presidency by CNN. The electoral college votes are 297 to 139!!!!

OMG, OMG, OMG people - we just witnessed history!!!! I'm so happy right now!!!


11:20 PM - approximately
***Update*** - Ok, final electoral vote count for Obama is 338, McCain is 159. I watched McCain's concession speech and was very impressed with his humility. While watching him, my dad pointed out that this was the McCain that he used to like. What did this election do to him?

However, I have to tell you, I was moved to tears after hearing Obama's acceptance speech. (What's with the emotions today?) Seeing Michelle and their girls walk out so proudly was so cute. And I love that Obama said they were taking a puppy with them to the White House. Most of all, I am so unbelievably excited to see this country turn around and to see what Obama will be able to do with the Presidency! Congratulations, President Obama!

I'm such a sissy!

I don't know why I'm compelled to share this little tidbit with the world, but I am, so I will. I voted today. About 50 minutes ago, to be precise. I cast my votes for the seats and issues accordingly, just the way I had planned to. I didn't vote for those items (read: judges) that I didn't know enough about (see, I AM a responsible adult), and when it was done, I was asked to verify my votes before my ballot was cast. Here is where it gets gooey. As the items came up for review, and I read "Barack Obama and Joseph Biden - President and Vice President of the United States," I got a little choked up. Like I said, I'm a sissy. I don't really know why I got choked up... maybe because this country is quickly circling the drain, and I fear for my life? Or maybe because I feel betrayed and ashamed? Or maybe, just maybe, I feel so overwhelmed with joy and excitement thinking about the potential that Barack Obama and this country have. Who knows!? In any case, I will probably be glued to the TV tonight, listening to the results pour in, and crossing my fingers that as a country, we made the right decision!

VOTE DAMNIT!!!

THIS IS JUST YOUR FRIENDLY DEMOCRATIC REMINDER TO GET YOUR ASSESS TO THE POLLING STATIONS AND VOTE TOMORROW. THE POLLS OPEN AT 7 AM AND CLOSE AT 8 PM. YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS IS LEGALLY REQUIRED TO GIVE YOU UP TO 3 HOURS TO GO VOTE (I THINK), SO THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR NOT VOTING!!!

Oh God, When Will It Finally End?

I am not one to get into political discussions with people, other than those who are closest to me, because I absolutely cannot stand the bigotry and closed-mindedness many individuals possess in this great state and across the country. A hearty debate never hurt anyone, but I'm not the confrontational type, so I try to avoid arguing unless it's something I feel very strongly about, and am determined to make the other person see my point of view... they don't have to accept it, just understand it, and acknowledge and respect that it's valid.

I got an e-mail from Wikiball about McCain and his shady campaigning strategies and it really set me off. I responded to her and said I think he is a shady son-of-a-bitch, and I, like Auri, will move to Canada if he is elected. (I mean, come on, if Auri moves, I'm going with her this time. I refuse to be left behind again... snicker, snicker.) Wikiball concurred. I started typing a response, and went off... here is my reply:

People would respect him more if he wasn't acting like a two year old! America is sick and tired of listening to the scare tactics, the bullshit, and the bullying. We want a leader whose head isn't up his ass, and who can put a semi-coherent sentence together. I don't care that McCain was a POW, or that he fought in a war, or that he has "experience." Big freakin' deal. America needs change right now and McCain is not going to provide that. The status quo has gotten us absolutely NO WHERE, and it's about damn time that it changes. We're in a recession, millions of people have lost or are losing their homes, millions of people have no access to healthcare, whether its free or just affordable, and we're spending a gazillion dollars a day fighting an endless war that isn't ours to fight. The repercussions of the Iraqi war are unknown at this time, but I can guarantee you, they will be felt the world over for years to come.

That was where I ended the e-mail, but I could go on.... maybe I will ... If I can say one thing, it would be to vote on November 4th. That is a Tuesday for those of you who don't know (Auri). I don't care if you vote for Obama, McCain, Nader, or me for that matter. What I do care about is the fact that the majority of those who do vote (which the number of voters by comparison to the number of eligible American voters is ridiculously small - did that even make sense?) vote for their candidate because they were told to. People, you need to educate yourselves about the candidates. Don't vote for anyone just because "you should," or because that's, "what you were told to do." Open your minds!!! Don't cast your vote because your husband, wife, parents, religious organization, or dog told you who to vote for. Vote for the person that most closely represents your values and opinions and who possesses the traits you want to see in your leader.

If you honestly cannot bring yourself to vote because you so strongly disagree with both parties, then don't vote. But make an educated decision about it. And don't complain about the administration for the next four or eight years... if you don't vote, you have no right to complain. Or do like my grandma's 80-year-old neighbor did... she was so mad at both parties, she voted for Nader just as a protest! The argument is always made that, "Oh, we live in Utah, so our votes don't really count!" While this may be true, has it ever been proven? I'm extremely curious to see what would happen, if by chance, Obama did win the popular vote here.... do you think our electoral votes would be cast to represent that, or would they go to McCain? Just something to ponder. How will we ever know if y'all don't get out there and vote!

Bailout

I was watching Craig Ferguson the other night and he went off about the financial bailout. He made some good points that I honestly hadn't thought of... What about the bailout of the millions of children who don't have health insurance? What about the bailout of the millions of people who either have lost, or are in danger of losing their homes? Why is our government so concerned about the big fish, and how is it possible it cares so little about the rest of the country? I just don't understand it. America is a great country, it's really too bad that our leaders don't represent us that way!

The Convention

"People, the world-over, have always been more impressed by the power of our example, not the example of our power." - Bill Clinton