Cec & Fiona S p a r k s
"Happily Married to Fiona !! † † June 7th Wedding † † at The Phoenix First Congregational - UCC Church - "
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New Photos Coming
Kimberly Elise January 6th, 2009 6:30 am MSTI had a formal makeover and photo session on Sunday, January 4th. Later this week I should have some new photos, my first big group of new photos since last May. They will include some casual "bare leg" looks with denim and flip flops, as well as some more dressed up office lady looks. Some of the photos will show off the pedicure I had (vivid pink nail polish). Also, my hair is in a longer style now, well below my shoulders. Kim :-)
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2008 in Review
Dan™ & Erin™ December 31st, 2008 2:28 pm MSTWell, it's definitely been an interesting year. A lot has happened. I ended a relationship with the best girlfriend I've ever had (though she still wasn't right), I've watched my prosperity complete dry up, I've almost completely stopped smoking and my drinking is almost not even noticeable at this point. I've fallen in love with the most incredible woman and I'm slowly figuring things out.
When the year began, I was worried about money. My company stopped producing and selling adult content which resulted in a massive drop of revenue. Around the same time, I broke my primary revenue producing website preventing people with IE 6 from accessing it, so I spent most of the year working on a new design which finally went online in August.
I really thought most of my financial problems were my fault. The result of changes in my companies business model and my own failing's running the web sites. In fact, I was so busy trying to figure out what I was doing wrong that I didn't notice the world collapsing slowly outside my window.
I had to cash in my kids college funds to pay bills. I had to cancel my life insurance to pay bills. When my car died, I decided to sell it for scrap rather than repair it. Fewer bills again. My house is usually a bit chilly and dark to save on utilities. I've reduced my monthly budget by around 2,000. I've been selling furniture to buy groceries.
For everything that had gone wrong, I'm optimistic. Not because I see an end in sight, but because I feel like I'm getting a handle on things. I have the best friends of my life. I'm in love for the first time in my life. I'm relatively healthy and my kids are healthy and seem well adjusted.
I think things are going to get worse. A lot worse, but I'm confident that we'll all get through this. As a planet, we need to step back and assess what's important. We need to focus on the things that need to be done, and we need to start working towards a better future.
I think we'll do it.
I hope.
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URNA DETECTIVES NEWS FLASH! DAN, JON & THE CASE OF THE MISSING JOURNAL ENTRIES!
Karen Reeves December 27th, 2008 8:54 pm MSTHi Everyone!
It appears that the case of the missing journal entry postings has been SOLVED!
I can see from my own list of the number of journal entries posted on my site that last June 4th was a busy day. I know I have posted quite a few journal entries over the years but not 53 of them!!! I can talk and write alot but . . . . .
Trying to repair the site the guys posted over 30 test entries on my site in just a few hours! When the site recently got repaired these disappearing journal entries suddenly reappeared. I just noticied this and have spent time deleting the test items.
I would suggest that everyone go delete repetative journal/test items to cut down on the clutter.
Thanks Dan & Jon for the great work in making Urnotalone such an awesome place!!! You have proved yourselves again!
*Smiles*
~Karen~
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HAPPY HOLIDAY'S 2008
Jackie Lee Thompson December 27th, 2008 8:14 pm MSTHi Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It appears the Journal is now working and we can now post new entries (THANK YOU DAN & JON!!!!!).
So, with that being said, I would just like to wish you all a belated MERRY CHRISTMAS.
And when it gets here......Have A Safe and Happy NEW YEAR!!!!!!
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Merry xMas!
Dan™ & Erin™ December 25th, 2008 7:35 am MST[2 comments]
Kelli's First SCC--and, First Flight!
Kelli Nicole E December 24th, 2008 1:41 am MST**This blog was written in early October, so please don't be confused by any "day/time" mentionings. And, if you do you this--Thank you, so much! It was written with a lot of excitement in my mind and love in my heart.
Hello everyone! Well…I finally did it…no, I didn’t climb Mt. Everest…but, in a way, I did climb over a big mountain called “Fear” or, “Anxiety” or, “Apprehension”….and, all of those feelings now seem far behind me, even though it’s only been a week now since I first arrived in Atlanta for the Southern Comfort Conference. Yes, I just said I was at THE SCC!! WOOHOO!!! (calm down sweetie, you have a HUGE blog to write…maybe an all-nighter…I better go make some food….) So, yes, this blog may run a bit long…longer than usual for me at least…but, hey, this just may have been not only one of THE best weeks of my life….but, maybe, one of the most important times I’ve ever had, especially as a girl of course. And, not only for the time spent within the confines of the SCC experience, but I also traveled there and back home as Kelli. That’s HUGE for me!!
The whole time was amazing….well, let me tell ya a little bit about it. Please count the “!’s” I use—could be a record!!
Let’s start at the beginning of this “SCC process”. As some of you already know, I requested, and received a scholarship from SCC, and also had MAJOR help in getting there(flight paid for by a loving and precious girlfriend, whose wish of staying anonymous will be honored), and staying there at the Crowne Plaza-Ravinia(with 2 girlfriends, Bridgett and then Tracy, who both said “not to worry, we’ll take care of it…”), and help with clothes from another girlfriend, Samantha. And last but certainly not least—my wife, because, if it wasn’t for her agreeing, at least up to a point, that this trip would be a good thing for me, I may not have went...but then again, to pass up this opportunity...and, with others who were out there, offering help....plus, my desire to go was SO high... so it would have been difficult not to go. And of course, if she wasn’t doing well enough, and someone(thankfully, her parents were here then) couldn’t be here the day I flew out—she had her last chemotherapy treatment that day…I probably wouldn’t have went. And, also, she gave me some spending money…practically all the money I brought with me($100), so I knew she was at least somewhat "pro-SCC for Kelli". And, I had more help when I was there, but that’s getting ahead of myself. And, I think I’m done with thinking: “Why me, why am I SO fortunate??” I just need to do the same for someone else someday.
Wednesday, October 1
Ok, so, being without much money to use for this trip(I started out with $100…and, this was a concern, not all the time, but it was in the back of my mind most of the time while there), I wanted to park the car(another concern—it’s about on it’s last legs…or axles) at the nearest train station(for free) and take the train 30 miles to the airport ($2), instead of parking near the airport for $12 a day(which means I’d need $60 abouts when I got back--more on that later) …well, it didn’t quite work out the way I planned—mostly my fault, I waited till the last moment to pack, and then I couldn’t get it all in one bag(extra bag--$50), so, being stubborn as always, I brought the extra bag, since I wanted as many clothing options as possible! By this time, it was about an hour past my planned time to leave(longer travel time using the train to the airport vs. car only), so I had to get going(EEEEK I didn’t wanna be late!!), so said bye-bye to my wife, but not without thanking her again... and I took off…and, about 2 miles out of town, I looked over and…EEEEK, I forgot my purse!!
So, knowing I have the cops in my back pocket, I sped back home and grabbed it, and said my goodbye’s again to Jeannie. An hour or so later I made it to the parking area and then the airport and the gate with around 40 minutes to spare. But, not before spending $50 for that extra bag…so, I now had $50 to spend at SCC over a 5 day period. 
Now that I look back on that, it’s totally amazing how practically everything had to work out right…and, it did!(more on that later) Oh…and, I forgot to mention—I was “dressed” from the time I left the house, until I arrived back home on Sunday night. Yay!! Going through security went smoothly…even got ‘ma’amed”(first of many times!). The flight was smooth and easy, and quick(Yay, I had things to do!! (teehee). The next challenges were picking up my luggage and using the MARTA train to travel north, stopping near the hotel. All good there too! I think a couple people were looking at me…but, hey, I’m cute, maybe that was the reason. 
So, now I’m getting off the train, and I know it’s only around a ½ mile to the hotel, so, in my infinite wisdom, I decide to walk over there…I needed some exercise anyway, so off I went. I think it took 30 minutes to walk that half mile—traffic lights galore(grrr), plus hauling almost as much weight as I weigh…but still, I could see the “Crowne Plaza—Ravinia” sign in front of me! “One foot in front of the other, Kelli girl, you can do it, this is where you’ve wanted to go and what you’ve wanted to do for SUCH a long time….” And, I did it!!
I didn’t see any trumpeters blowing a tribute, or banners welcoming me, specifically(next year), but that’s ok, I arrived, safe and sound, and no significant complications. That wouldn’t be quite the truth going back home….but anyway, now it was time to celebrate!
I checked in…though that turned out to be a bit of a trick(I forgot the name Bridgett used to check into her room, oooops), but they finally relented in giving me a key(I practiced my eye-batting and pouting techniques on the plane). I then proceeded up to my room, and then went “Ahhhh”…as I layed on the bed for a few minutes. But not for long! I’m HERE!! And, I gots lots things to doose!! I changed clothes, freshened up a bit, and then headed back down to the lobby. I needed to sign in/register for the conference, so I asked someone at a nearby table where I needed to go. But first, I wanted to see if there was anyone familiar roaming around the front of the hotel, the lobby, and also over at what appeared to be the hotel bar. And, well, yes there WAS someone familiar in there!! OMG…it... was…really…HER! I bet my eyes were as big as her…uhumm, you know…. when I first set eyes on Chloe Prince!
Wow, it was really her, giving me the warmest of hugs!! She then invited me over to their tables for pizza and a drink. And, although I didn’t recognize her at first(duh!), there was Tara, a long time Y360 friend. It was just too cool to have those girls there, along with many others that I didn’t know before, but were of course, just as nice and friendly as Chloe and Tara.(remember, this was, with one exception(albeit a BIG exception, my first time out back in December), the first time I was with other girls in a public setting(I had met Riz in August of 2006, and Jessica, in July of 2007(first time ever dressed with another girl, and also someone else see me dressed—2 of her neighbors)) So, after awhile, Chloe took me down to the registration room, where I met the lovely Debbie Dunkle! But, I had forgot to bring my registration code with me, so, it was back upstairs for that. But, before going back down, we went to her room, and Chloe offered to give me a personal makeover—YAY!! How could I pass that up?? That was SUCH a fun time! But the best part for me was just getting to talk with and be with her. She’s been SO good to me over the past year or so….longer actually…and talking to her, finally, in person…not to mention watching her make me up purtee, was one of THE highlights of my whole time in Atlanta, it really was. I have many wonderful sisters/girlfriends, mostly online, but Chloe’s right “there”, near, or at the top of that fabulous list. I am SO blessed. Thank you so much, Chloe, for helping me start off my time at SCC in a most fabulous way! ((HUGS))
We then parted ways for awhile, as I needed to change again, shave, etc., and hopefully meet up with my roommate Bridgett, and see what her plans were for the evening. And, there she was, the one and only, Bridgett Sommers!! Another heroine to my rescue!
We had a nice talk, and then I proceeded to get ready for the evening, not exactly knowing what I was going to do. I told her that I still needed to register, so I went back down for that. Not long after, Chloe saw me and asked if I was going to Agatha’s Mystery Dinner Theatre. No, not at all, I couldn’t afford it($65)….well, she said someone had to cancel and she had a ticket available. Cool! Sure I’ll go! So, I decided to go up and change clothes again(familiar theme amongst most of us girls while there I’m sure)…and, I almost missed the bus! But, I made it, and I’m glad I did, because I had a lovely and fun time. I sat with Chloe(of course), and made some new friends on the bus over there, and at the dinner table. Everyone had a part to play during the course of the show, which was cool. The 2 actors were quite funny…lame once in awhile, but for the most part it was a fun show. (A sorta play on Annie Oakley) One girl sitting close to us particularly enjoyed it, she was laughing SO loud and often! Little did I know then that this particular gal would play a big part in helping me arrive home on Sunday. Anyway, the show was now over, and we rode back, and I was sitting with Chloe, and she once again, gave me good advice, on how to have fun as much as possible and don’t hold back….knowing that I am somewhat shy, or reticent, when I’m around people I don’t know well. I took her advice to heart…but, I still had those “moments” over my time there. I have to admit, the whole thing was overwhelming at times. But, overall, I think I did pretty good. So, once I got back to the hotel, it was quickly “beddy-bye” time for me. Just too tired…not only from the traveling, and traveling for the first time as Kelli… and, yes, a bit of nerves, but not bad really…I was just exhausted…not getting enough sleep the week before leaving....and I guess the 30 minute hot shower contributed to my fatigue.
Thursday, October 2
For the previous 5 days, I had a total of around 18 hours’ sleep…so, yeah, I was exhausted, and even though I had wanted to attend a 9 o’clock seminar that morning, I’m glad a “slept in” (8:30), since I would need that rest for the rest of the week/weekend! Bridgett had just returned from a run, so we coordinated our plans for the day. There was one other seminar I wanted to attend that day, but mostly I was free to do whatever. So we decided to try the mall for lunch and some shopping afterwards, which freed up most of my morning to mingle and check out the vendor area. There were some nice things I wouldn’t have minded buying there…but, without much money available, I just “window” shopped while there. I really wanted one of those cute little jewelry trees one vendor was selling…oh well, next year. After awhile I went back upstairs to get ready for the mall. This, of course, would be another “first” for me, going shopping(and eating too) en femme. And, as food courts usually are around noonish, it was BUSY! I think I did fine though…it helped that Bridgett was with me, along with Cheryl Jackson, oh and also, our mutual URNA chat room friend, Larry from Toronto—that’s literally what he goes by in that room, “Larry from Toronto”(I’m assuming there are no other Toronto’s in the world.). He was sweet, not that I didn’t think he would be….but, you know, most guys on the ‘Net are like—WEIRD!! Anyway, we had a nice lunch together, and, although I was not particularly looking at people and seeing if they were “looking” at me/us…I’m sure there were a few…but then again, maybe not, but by that point, I really didn’t care, and from my previous day’s experience traveling as me, I wasn’t all that concerned. I had on fairly short denim skirt(what was I supposed to do while in Atlanta, hide my most precious feminine attributes?? >wink< ), a pink tank with a tan hoodie with a pair of tan 3” wedges. No, I’m not exactly “fashion conscience”, like SOOO many girls I met while there in Atlanta, OMG!!(I think that’s great, more power to them!) But, I got by ok while there I think. Anyway, after lunch, Bridgett and I split from Cheryl and Larry and did bit ‘o shoppin’. I mostly watched Bridgett shop actually. But, we did find some great bargains at a couple of stores….can’t think of their names at the moment…wait, Arden B. was one…and Charlotte Rae, I think...anyway, I found a lovely little black dress(never had an “LBD” before), ties over one shoulder, off the other(showing my “K” tatt btw, yay!), and fairly short(duh). (yes, I know, I didn’t have much money…but a couple of girls the day before graciously gave me some spending money, and good thing, or this shopping “swarwey” wouldn’t have been possible) Sweet Bridgett, after I found another dress to wear (and by then the cash was dwindling) for Saturday night, said she would buy it for me!(ya shoulda seen my face then!
) It was all pink, which, for me, was perfect, since this would be my first “ball”(behave!) and pink being by far my fave color….and, above the knees of course. Yay, I now had more options for Friday and Saturday nights! We also paid visits to a MAC store and a VS store…both shockers there, eh girls?? We separated for a bit after that….so, I went to Claire’s and bought a few hoopies. We connected again,, and then I went back on my own to the hotel, walking over with some sweet and fun young kids(ok, I “almost” were their ages). All in all a most pleasant experience for a first time mall chickie. 
I arrived back at the hotel, and not long afterwards, I had to get ready for the evening dinner, back at the mall, at Hudson Grille….and, yes, I received another “freebee”, this time offered by Debbie Dunkle’s lovely wife, Sandy. (By this time, I was wondering if my name really was “Dorothy” and I truly was on a Yellow Brick Road.... ) I rode a shuttle over with my Saturday night roomie Tracy and her her friend Deja, and other girls too. As per usual, I didn’t eat very much…I just have to be careful while dining out, with my screwy food allergies. But anyway, not long after finishing, I was SO pleasantly surprised by a visit from not only Bridgett, but her(and mine too!) good friend Candice, from Boston(she's a good friend via the URNA chat room). OH I had been wanting to meet this girl for SO long! Her nickname in the chat room there is “Sweet Boston Candy”---and she definitely IS one of the sweetest girls I know. I almost started to cry after we hugged…but she said to not do that, and to just be happy that we finally met. After dinner, and after taking some outside photos, we all piled back into the shuttle and back to the hotel. I didn’t have any set plans that night—just “hangin’ around” the hotel, the bar there, or wherever. I did go into the bar for a bit, mingled some…but, I also needed some alone time, to gather my thoughts. It had been a whirlwind 36-ish hours up to that point, and I felt I needed some time to sort things through. Maybe that sounds odd…but, remember, this was only the 2nd time I had ever been out, anyplace, ever…if you can count my whole time at SCC plus the traveling as “one time out”. My first time was last December, on my birthday, no less…and in San Francisco, the so-called “capital of trans”(it sure ain’t Greenville !
). Pretty good deal, with these first two outings, me thinks! So, I layed down on the bed, watching the VP debate…and, that had me so excited that I ….fell asleep. For about an hour…and then I freshened up and went back downstairs, hopefully finding Bridgett and Candy…but, no luck, and I feel like mingling much anymore that night, so I went back upstairs and took another refreshing shower. (Yeah, I know—“Party pooper”, that’s me.) Bridgett came in around 1am…I think…and I said that maybe tomorrow we can all, me her and Candy, go someplace to eat, dancing, etc., and she said that’ll work. “Nite-nite Bridgett” “Nite-nite Kelli”
Friday, October 3
Being the Internet/chat addict that I am, I awoke around 5am, to get an early start on chatting and IM messages…and, I sure didn’t see many girls up at that hour! I did get into the URNA chat room though…but, hardly anyone was there…I guess most were in Atlanta! (What was cool though, was later that day, while chatting on Yahoo Messenger, was making contact with a girl, Adrienne, that I hadn’t chatted with for over a year…and, there she was, as I was sitting in the “mecca” of trans-celebration!) So, after awhile, I picked up a bagel, a drink, and went back upstairs to get ready for the day. (Btw, I wore a white long-sleeved sweater with a pink tank underneath, along with a denim skirt and 2” tan wedges--hmmm, sounds familiar. And all either were from Goodwill or Payless…kinda sad isn't it? But, at the same time, some really good bargains…plus, with our finances as they are….sigh.) Another BIG day planned, this time with seminars, the career fair, luncheons, a lovely dinner(and lovely dinner companions!) and, although not originally planned--a fun time at the hotel bar. Let’s start with the seminars. The first was at 9am, with Donna Rose. What an amazing, and of course, obviously gorgeous, woman!! I thoroughly enjoyed her talk…and, I wish it could have lasted another hour. I did get to introduce myself after her talk. And, that was just my first brush with celebrity that day! The next seminar was with Jessica McKinnon, a voice trainer/educator. This was my first exposure to any type of voice training, and I enjoyed her presentation, so much so, that I signed up for a private voice lesson the next morning, up in her suite. (more on that later) I sat with a new friend, Michelle from Boston, whom I had met the day before…and, btw, I absolutely LOVE you Boston girls! It seems like I met at least 7 or 8 while at SCC—all lovely, all friendly, all fun! (I think Boston just moved into 2nd place on places to move to eventually, hehe.). And, so, after that seminar, I had lunch with Michelle, and also with a few Jersey gals. And, again, I ate little…but that’s ok, I was just SOOO happy, being there at this Conference! After parting with Michelle, and going up to freshen up, I went back down for the Career Fair. It was good, and informative, but not being in a position just yet to change jobs/careers, or move from here, I just mostly talked to a couple of presenters and picked up some literature. After that, I went to the vendor area and browsed. No purchases, just browsing. No cash, no purchases. >pout< I LOVED the jewelry trees one vendor had, they had the body of gorgeously dressed women, with various “branches” to hang necklaces and such, on each side…but, oh well, next time.
My next seminar was with Jennifer Boylan. And, other than just being here, and traveling there and back, and of course, being with my friends, one of THE main things I wanted to do while at SCC was to attend one of Ms. Boylan’s seminars. Just before going in the Maplewood B room, I ran into(not literally, she could hurt me if I did
) Chloe, and she was going to see Jenny (oh yes, I’m on a first-name basis with her ) also! Being that I had wanted to meet Ms. Boylan ever since reading her wonderful book, “She’s Not There”, I just HAD to sit in the front row. For the first hour, she mostly read passages from her new book, “I’m Looking Through You”, of which I haven’t read yet…was planning to before leaving for Atlanta, just ran outta time, yada yada….and, she interspersed that with her infectious humor, actually throughout her session. I enjoyed my time with her even more than I thought I would! And, afterwords, she signed autographs—yes, I brought both books with me! I even asked her a couple of questions, and had my photo taken with her—YAY! 
Wow….I’m now sitting here at home, thinking about being with her…and really, my whole time down there...and, it’s been almost a week now since arriving back home…and, I’m getting tearful thinking about how special a time I had…and, wishing it could have lasted longer. But hey, magic happened, for me, and no doubt for MANY other girls last week, and, at least for me, it was quite an emotional time too.
So, anyway, my next stop was back to the room, since Bridgett, Candice and I had dinner plans that evening. When I arrived in the room, I heard someone in the bathroom, and, I thought it was Bridgett. “No no, uh-uh…”…it was Candice! Getting ready, and since she was staying at another hotel, it just made sense for her to get ready with us. She is SUCH a fun girl! And, I thought I had nice legs—omg, Candice has WAY better…well, she should, she rides her bicycle over 5000 miles a year!
After we were all done making ourselves perfect(I had on a new black dress, the same one I mentioned earlier), and, not knowing exactly where we wanted to go for dinner, we hung around the bar for a bit, and asked around for some good places to dine, and also some cool dance venues, because one thing I did want to do with Candice was dance with her(and Bridgett also of course), since she has a bit of a “reputation”(no, not THAT kind 
) as a great dancer, and I was hoping to discover that. There was a club, “Le Buzz”, that was fairly local, and that catered to TG’s, and supposedly had dancing available, but then we heard that, at least that night, it was just going to be a drag show….so, we ended up not going there, after dinner. Well, as it happened, that club DID have dancing…but, but the time we found that out, it was too late. Oh well, at least we had a nice(and, OMG, at least to me…though the girls took care of me and my share of the bill—Expensive!!) meal together…along with a bit of flirting with the waiters and waitresses. (All innocent here! >wink< ) That dinner though, was part of the true essence of my time at SCC—forging close friendships, and, hopefully, having them last a lifetime. After dinner, it was back to the Ravinia. I found a couple of friends to talk to, and then I kinda lost touch with Bridgett and Candice, and eventually I went back upstairs to rest a bit. But, I didn’t wanna stay up there…I wanted to have some more fun with friends that night, so I went back down to the hotel bar, and, there they were! “There she is!”, said Candice, so I joined them, for what turned out to be the next 3 hours! More good times with them, and with other girls who came by to say “Hi”. I’d like to give a special “Hello” and thank you to two in particular—Danielle and Rebecca. You girls were so much fun! Danielle seemed to be admiring Candice’s legs…no argument there….and, after some coaxing, Candice relented and allowed(yeah, like she wasn’t gently teasing Danielle in the first place, hehe )(well, girl, you were!) Danielle to massage her feet. Yes, in the bar. But, hey, it was like, 2am now…”who cares”, right?? After awhile, I asked(or, maybe Danielle asked me…can’t remember, hehe) Danielle if I could take her place. Now, I didn’t actually plan to massage Candice’s, or anyone’s feet that night…especially in a hotel bar…but hey, it was fun, and Candice certainly seemed to enjoy it. >wink< Soon we were all getting tired…it was now around 3am…and, I was actually the last one out of the bar that night. Yes, me, “Ms. “Temperance”” 
And then, after going up to the room to gather her things, Candice and I had to say are goodbye’s(Bridgett had went back up an hour earlier), since she had to leave in a few hours, as did Bridgett. Obviously, the least favorite part of my time in Atlanta, parting from friends. I have a feeling I’m speaking here for many girls, but the friendships I have, and now, especially with the girls I’ve actually met in person, run VERY very deep, and it truly is a love of one’s sisters….we’re all in this together, and, hopefully, there will come the day when such conferences won’t be necessary…but, I know, that’s a long way off. If the general public could truly see the close bonds we girls(and no doubt, transmen also) have…and, yes, much of it out of necessity…and how we take care of one another…I think they would be very impressed. And, at the same time, our community needs to reach out TO the general populace, and show them, by our words, and our actions, that we truly belong in this world too. Anyway, by this time I was SO happy to be there that I hardly slept….and little did I know that I could have used more rest, after what happened over the next couple of days.
Saturday, October 4
It’s a good thing I didn’t sleep in, because then I would have missed hugging Bridgett and saying goodbye. I can never thank her enough for allowing me to stay with her, without paying my share of the room…my GOODNESS I have wonderful friends!!
After she left, I got cleaned up and went down for some Internet and later, breakfast. By this time, I knew I only had around $50(Several very sweet and generous girls had given me some money while I was there…some, anonymously, and some not(you know who you are! ((HUGS)) )…and, well, I had spent some of that money shopping…hard to resist!...but, as it ended up, I should have saved that money for the trip home.), but I wanted decent breakfast (I think I lost around 5 lbs. during my time in Atlanta), so I went down to the breakfast restaurant(“La Grotta”, I believe) and ordered toast and tea(well, ok, actually hash browns, a bagel and OJ). Not long after I began eating, I looked up and saw Jenny Boylan and some friends walk in. That morning, I wore a pretty pink/tie-dyed style bandana(and a pink(yes, I have lots!)top and capri’s), and as Jenny walked by, she said, “Well hi Kelli(I think she said my name—maybe it’s just wishful recalling 
), what a cute bandana, I like the look!” I smiled the rest of breakfast. 
Just a bit later, I sat with Allyson, a good friend from Yahoo 360, and who, later that day, during the Saturday luncheon, without her knowing ahead of time, would be given recognition for this event being her first time out in public as Allyson. That recognition couldn’t happen to a nicer girl, believe me. So, I finished breakfast, gave Allyson a hug, and headed up to Jessica McKinnon’s suite, for a private voice lesson. Just finishing her lesson was my long time online friend, Keri Renault, who I had met in the lobby the previous day(it was SO nice to finally meet her!), and it was nice to see her again. I really enjoyed that session with Jessica—she recorded my voice, and will be sending that file to me, and I can use that as a template as I continue working on my voice…which she said was pretty good already(Yay!). Thank you, Jessica! And then, I headed up to get packed…since I had to leave that room and stay with Tracy that evening. I somehow crammed everything into my 3 bags…but, I couldn’t find Tracy…her phone would automatically go into voice mail, and I did leave a message, but I never did hear back from her. Later on I found out why, and everything turned out ok, but it was a bit of a frustrating day. So, it was now around noon, and I had to get my stuff out of the room, but without a room yet to keep my bags, I had to leave them downstairs in the storage room. Which, was ok…but later on, I would need to change clothes for the pool party…but, that eventually turned out ok too. (Again, thank goodness for friends!!) The week before I left for Atlanta, I became acquainted online, with Mandi MacDonald, a gal from the Atlanta area. I think she’d left a message on the SCC Lounge Yahoo Group site, and I clicked on her name/profile, and found her story interesting(working for an airline, in the maintenance dept.—while transitioning…so, you can imagine, in such a “macho” type environment….), and sent her an IM, telling her I’m coming to Atlanta for the SCC event, and then she said we should meet up sometime….and, it worked out that we were able to meet for the Saturday SCC luncheon, and I enjoyed my time with her, and her friend Shawna. I also greatly enjoyed both Donna Rose’s and Mara Keisling's speeches….both true heroines of our community
So, now it was time for the pool party! Not being much of a “pool girl”, I was slightly hesitant in going…not to mention not wanting to scare anyone with my blindingly white skin…but, with Chloe giving me some of her old(but still good!) bathing suits(yes, one piece—I’m not THAT daring!), and figuring to see her there, I just “had” to go…but, I needed someplace to change clothes. Thankfully, Tracy’s friend Deja was in the lobby area, and I asked her if I could use her room to change, and being the sweetheart that she is, she said fine, that’s cool. She even let me borrow a lovely wrap of hers. I had a fun time at the party, and re-connected with Michelle, who looked very pretty, as she always did every time I saw her. Chloe didn’t show…well, at least I didn’t see her, but that was ok, she can’t babysit me every moment.
So, now it was around 4pm, and still no sign of Tracy. Deja said I could use her room to get ready for the evening’s festivities…and I thanked her for her offer, but I did want to get into my room(I should have coordinated better with Tracy beforehand). I did get an offer from Debbie Dunkle to use her room to dress…but things got a bit chaotic, what with my cell not always working, and going down to the lobby every once in awhile, hoping to see Tracy around someplace. And, for awhile, I did find another girl who let me keep my bags in her room—Bonnie, from Canada, who also offered to let me stay with her that night, in case Tracy didn’t show up. (Thank you, Bonnie!!) Eventually I did see her in the lobby—she was downtown for much of the day, shopping with a friend…and they had some car trouble, and got caught in traffic…which was all perfectly understandable. So, anyway, now I could get into the room…but now it was around 6pm, so we both had to scramble a bit to get ready in time for the dinner and entertainment. I just HAD to wear my new(thank you again, Bridgett!! ) pink dress! I ended up being a bit late(15 minutes abouts) for the dinner, but hey, that was ok, I didn’t eat much anyway(surprise!). After finishing, I went outside the ballroom and made some phone calls. I called Jeannie…I had forgot to call her yesterday(Friday), and I felt bad about that. She said she was doing fine, and was about ready to eat supper(her church was delivering supper every night while I was away). It was good to hear her voice. I also called a couple of girlfriends, one local to me(she was so surprised to hear from me!) and the other, my best friend Jessica, who would have liked to have been there(she was there in 2006), but with too many complications in her life nowadays, her health being one main reason, she just couldn’t make it…but she was glad I called. And I was glad to call them, and at least give them a bit of a taste of what I was feeling, being there, with some of THE coolest and nicest people I have EVER met in my life. I got a bit emotional sitting there…I didn’t wanna break down, out in the lobby there, but it was hard not to, knowing it was my final night. More and more people were leaving the ballroom by then, and mingling, taking photos, etc. I do hope to receive some photos of me from those sweet girls who took my picture!
Now it was around 9pm, and my feet were starting to bother me again…and, I wanted to change into something different, so I went up to the room and changed(cute black n’ purple top, cute black skirt, cute sho---ok Kelli, calm down). And, once again, to think too. SOOO much had happened to me in the past 4 days!! All good!! It was almost surreal….my whole life, with all the accumulated thoughts, feelings I’d had throughout the years….and, now, I was in this place, this truly magic place called the Southern Comfort Conference…and, I honestly had never felt this comfortable my whole life…trying not to cry while typing this….but yes, it was real, finally real, and, along with my travels as my true self, my time at SCC will never, ever be forgotten. Anyway, after getting done changing(and thinking), I went back downstairs. I noticed Tracy, outside the front doors, so I went out to see what she was up to. She was going to a club someplace…a “straight” club, and then asked if I’d like to go. Sure, why not? Well, after waiting around for about 20 minutes, I went back inside. Maybe it was a slight fear—of being out at a “normal” type establishment…or, maybe I was tired…or maybe it was just all a bit too much…yes, I’d been fine, traveling down, and at the mall, going out to eat, etc…and of course, at the hotel….but, for whatever reason, I backed out from going, and, as it turned out, it was really my only regret my whole time away. Tracy said that they had a great time, and possibly even opened some minds there…let’s hope so! I should have went and been a part of that. Next time, I won’t be so hesitant.
I did go over to the bar, talked to a few girls, but by that time, I was really tired(maybe you should eat more, Kells
), and, feeling kinda down, knowing this would be my last night there…and yes, with my worries back at home always in my mind(I’m sorry, but I just can’t not think about those things….it’s a big part of my life also)…I then went back upstairs, and eventually fell quickly asleep—TOO quickly, because I forgot to wash my makeup off. Oooops! I think Tracy got back around 2am, and she related how fun a time she and her friends had that night. Good for them, I was happy to hear about all of that. And, I really couldn’t complain—it was my fault I didn’t go with them. And besides, I had been having quite possibly the greatest week of my life…especially, obviously, my life as Kelli. So, I slept well that night. 
Sunday, October 5
Awwww…..it’s now Sunday…the last day at SCC.
[Comment on this post]
Merry Christmas 2008 To You All!
Karen Reeves December 20th, 2008 11:51 pm MSTHi Everyone!
It is that time of year and yesterday's/today's snowstorm just seems to add to the festive mood of Christmas. I know that getting ready for the holidays can be stressful and painful.
I enjoy all the bright lights, good cheer, parties, the presents, and Xmas dinner. But let us remember the true meaning of Xmas. It is the day that we celeberate the life of one person and the meaning of what it is to strive and have a better planet to live on.
Enjoy your holidays no matter your belief system!!!!!
*Kisses*
~Karen~
[Comment on this post]
Sigh
Nicole Samantha James December 11th, 2008 2:02 am MSTWhat the hell am I doing? I moved out of LA because it was so stiffling then I get here to Arizona and before the month is out I had slept with 6 guys. Then I get pissed at myself and swear I will never do it again but the next week there I am on my back again making some guy happy. I get all femmed up and watch as even my voice changes ok well maybe I listen you cant really watch your voice change now can you?
On a lighter note Im having this dream where I find a bar of soap in a box so not just soap thrown in the street. On the box is a picture of a hot girl. I was with the soap and become that girl on the box. Turns out she is a stripper so now I am dancing at the local gentlemans club. One question why on earth is it called a GENTLEMANS club.
Im Nicole James and I am not really sure I approve this message
[Comment on this post]
GOOBLE GOOBLE GOOBLE-Some November Thoughts !
Karen Reeves November 16th, 2008 10:00 pm MSTHi Everyone!
I hope that all of you have a great Thanksgiving. We all have, though it may not seem that way many times, so much to be thankful for. The next time you get down emotionally remember that things could be a whole lot worse. Many people are in that predicament.
Don't each too much turkey!
*Kisses*
~Karen~
[Comment on this post]
Liberty and Justice for some...
Laura Carrillo November 11th, 2008 5:49 pm MSTRoutine. Day after day, hour after hour I feel like I have been trapped in a hamster wheel. A very entertaining and distracting wheel, indeed. I don't really feel like thinking, or doing the IM thing. Can't be bothered if making this wheel turn seems so interesting. It isn't really like there is a whole lot to do after coming back from work. Glenn calls me a bedbug: I get home, take off the work clothes and plop my ass on bed. Maybe I should find something interesting to do. But I don't feel like it. Besides the bed is soft, and the bedroom is the warmest room in the house. I don't really want to have any drama in my life, even though that would make my life a bit more interesting to retell. Yep, not a lot of things get me fired up these days, it is more comfy to sit in bed and play Neopets Flash games with my kids.
There is a turning point in your life when you stop doing crazy things. You remember certain things you rather keep to yourself. Like when you were in the back of a police car for disturbing the peace back in Peru. Or when you marched with a bunch of other college students, interrupting traffic and running the risk of being hit by a bus. I think it was a solidarity march with the miner's union, although I think it was a good excuse for skipping a failing class. Yea, the wild days. It was always a protest in Peru. We did like to complain a lot and let everyone know about it. Sometimes things got ugly, cops on horses were quite intimidating. And the water gun, ugh. Didn't sit in the cop car too long. My godfather ( Rip) was a colonel in the Peruvian Air Force and his name carried some weight. The slap on the face and the couple of kicks I got from the cops did not wipe the grin of my face as I was let go. Crazy days indeed. My grandpa had been a political prisoner during one of the numerous dictatorships Peru used to have. He never talked about it, but my mom always told me the stories. I knew they were not fake because while working at my grandpa's print shop I always noticed political propaganda lying around. He used to print it for free, he never charged for any of it. His political party was illegal for many decades, and he enjoyed the fact that his party won the election during the mid-1980's before he passed away. The current government is also that same party, guess they re doing something right. I wonder if the Us Customs would've let me in if they knew I was this nuts...
Everyone has written about the elections lately. I can't be happier. I followed B. Obama since the primaries. I like to follow politics. Tell you the truth, I liked Dennis Kucinich more, he is just a firecracker. But I knew he was not going to win cuz he is too liberal sometimes. But little Dennis is my hero, he is the one who insisted on impeaching Bush and our heartless vicepresident, even after Pelosi said there was not going to be any impeachments. I think the benefit of the majority superseded the needs of the minorities in this election. Propositions 8 and 2, in California and Florida passed, probably because the black vote decidedly voted for Obama but was definitely against same sex marriage. I think this is a matter of education. The black voters followed their preachers, who obviously would be against anything unholy. Interference of Church in State affairs? Yep, aren't they a meddlesome bunch?
There is no need to blame or feel angry against anybody. It is much better to find a solution. I think protesting works. I do feel like we should voice our opinion, let's make ourselves heard. Can't help but feel like second class citizens. though. We didn't make enough to educate the black vote so they could understand we are being discriminated like they were being discriminated a couple of decades ago.
I attended a town hall meeting, not so long ago, in which the representative of the NAACP was in the panel of speakers. I remember she said, our fight is their fight and that they would be behind us 100%. Glenn can back me up on this, cuz he was there too. I feel like we are not alone in this. We can't do the fighting by ourselves and be taken seriously. Alliances are good. We have waited and we can wait a few more months, I understand there are priorities, like the economy. But we must keep this issue in the front of the news. Protests are good and the Day of Remembrance this month is a good time to be seen and heard. Find out when they're gonna have services in your area, try to attend, that's the least you can do.
It sucks to have a right being taken away from you by popular vote. Why is a right that everyone else has, included in a ballot for the majority to vote on? How did it get there in the first place? I don't know all the political intricacies but I suppose there is a clear disregard for a constitution that claims it contains inalienable rights for every citizen. Everyone is talking about how America has again become the greatest democracy in the world. How come other democracies like Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium have allowed same sex marriages for years now? Same sex partner benefits are also recognized in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa( the country, not the continent Palin followers...) and Spain. America has now to catch up.
So, if you have been caught in a rut for a while, remember you can't complain about your rights being taken away without doing nothing about it. Get off your couch, stop playing that video game, don't worry about dumb jocks and their affairs with grabbing a football and attend your local Day of Remembrance services. You know what we are remembering, right? If that is not enough motivation, I do not know what will :-)
*note: all the pictures are from the protests against the passing of Prop 8 in Cali. More than 5000 gathered to march, crazy people :-P
[Comment on this post]
Liberty and Justice for some...
Laura Carrillo November 10th, 2008 9:57 pm MSTRoutine. Day after day, hour after hour I feel like I have been trapped in a hamster wheel. A very entertaining and distracting wheel, indeed. I don't really feel like thinking, or doing the IM thing. Can't be bothered if making this wheel turn seems so interesting. It isn't really like there is a whole lot to do after coming back from work. Glenn calls me a bedbug: I get home, take off the work clothes and plop my ass on bed. Maybe I should find something interesting to do. But I don't feel like it. Besides the bed is soft, and the bedroom is the warmest room in the house. I don't really want to have any drama in my life, even though that would make my life a bit more interesting to retell. Yep, not a lot of things get me fired up these days, it is more comfy to sit in bed and play Neopets Flash games with my kids.
There is a turning point in your life when you stop doing crazy things. You remember certain things you rather keep to yourself. Like when you were in the back of a police car for disturbing the peace back in Peru. Or when you marched with a bunch of other college students, interrupting traffic and running the risk of being hit by a bus. I think it was a solidarity march with the miner's union, although I think it was a good excuse for skipping a failing class. Yea, the wild days. It was always a protest in Peru. We did like to complain a lot and let everyone know about it. Sometimes things got ugly, cops on horses were quite intimidating. And the water gun, ugh. Didn't sit in the cop car too long. My godfather ( Rip) was a colonel in the Peruvian Air Force and his name carried some weight. The slap on the face and the couple of kicks I got from the cops did not wipe the grin of my face as I was let go. Crazy days indeed. My grandpa had been a political prisoner during one of the numerous dictatorships Peru used to have. He never talked about it, but my mom always told me the stories. I knew they were not fake because while working at my grandpa's print shop I always noticed political propaganda lying around. He used to print it for free, he never charged for any of it. His political party was illegal for many decades, and he enjoyed the fact that his party won the election during the mid-1980's before he passed away. The current government is also that same party, guess they re doing something right. I wonder if the Us Customs would've let me in if they knew I was this nuts...
Everyone has written about the elections lately. I can't be happier. I followed B. Obama since the primaries. I like to follow politics. Tell you the truth, I liked Dennis Kucinich more, he is just a firecracker. But I knew he was not going to win cuz he is too liberal sometimes. But little Dennis is my hero, he is the one who insisted on impeaching Bush and our heartless vicepresident, even after Pelosi said there was not going to be any impeachments. I think the benefit of the majority superseded the needs of the minorities in this election. Propositions 8 and 2, in California and Florida passed, probably because the black vote decidedly voted for Obama but was definitely against same sex marriage. I think this is a matter of education. The black voters followed their preachers, who obviously would be against anything unholy. Interference of Church in State affairs? Yep, aren't they a meddlesome bunch?
There is no need to blame or feel angry against anybody. It is much better to find a solution. I think protesting works. I do feel like we should voice our opinion, let's make ourselves heard. Can't help but feel like second class citizens. though. We didn't make enough to educate the black vote so they could understand we are being discriminated like they were being discriminated a couple of decades ago.
I attended a town hall meeting, not so long ago, in which the representative of the NAACP was in the panel of speakers. I remember she said, our fight is their fight and that they would be behind us 100%. Glenn can back me up on this, cuz he was there too. I feel like we are not alone in this. We can't do the fighting by ourselves and be taken seriously. Alliances are good. We have waited and we can wait a few more months, I understand there are priorities, like the economy. But we must keep this issue in the front of the news. Protests are good and the Day of Remembrance this month is a good time to be seen and heard. Find out when they're gonna have services in your area, try to attend, that's the least you can do.
It sucks to have a right being taken away from you by popular vote. Why is a right that everyone else has, included in a ballot for the majority to vote on? How did it get there in the first place? I don't know all the political intricacies but I suppose there is a clear disregard for a constitution that claims it contains inalienable rights for every citizen. Everyone is talking about how America has again become the greatest democracy in the world. How come other democracies like Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium have allowed same sex marriages for years now? Same sex partner benefits are also recognized in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa( the country, not the continent Palin followers...) and Spain. America has now to catch up.
So, if you have been caught in a rut for a while, remember you can't complain about your rights being taken away without doing nothing about it. Get off your couch, stop playing that video game, don't worry about dumb jocks and their affairs with grabbing a football and attend your local Day of Remembrance services. You know what we are remembering, right? If that is not enough motivation, I do not know what will :-)
*note: all the pictures are from the protests against the passing of Prop 8 in Cali. More than 5000 gathered to march, crazy people :-P
[Comment on this post]
Liberty and Justice for some...
Laura Carrillo November 10th, 2008 9:32 pm MSTRoutine. Day after day, hour after hour I feel like I have been trapped in a hamster wheel. A very entertaining and distracting wheel, indeed. I don't really feel like thinking, or doing the IM thing. Can't be bothered if making this wheel turn seems so interesting. It isn't really like there is a whole lot to do after coming back from work. Glenn calls me a bedbug: I get home, take off the work clothes and plop my ass on bed. Maybe I should find something interesting to do. But I don't feel like it. Besides the bed is soft, and the bedroom is the warmest room in the house. I don't really want to have any drama in my life, even though that would make my life a bit more interesting to retell. Yep, not a lot of things get me fired up these days, it is more comfy to sit in bed and play Neopets Flash games with my kids.
There is a turning point in your life when you stop doing crazy things. You remember certain things you rather keep to yourself. Like when you were in the back of a police car for disturbing the peace back in Peru. Or when you marched with a bunch of other college students, interrupting traffic and running the risk of being hit by a bus. I think it was a solidarity march with the miner's union, although I think it was a good excuse for skipping a failing class. Yea, the wild days. It was always a protest in Peru. We did like to complain a lot and let everyone know about it. Sometimes things got ugly, cops on horses were quite intimidating. And the water gun, ugh. Didn't sit in the cop car too long. My godfather ( Rip) was a colonel in the Peruvian Air Force and his name carried some weight. The slap on the face and the couple of kicks I got from the cops did not wipe the grin of my face as I was let go. Crazy days indeed. My grandpa had been a political prisoner during one of the numerous dictatorships Peru used to have. He never talked about it, but my mom always told me the stories. I knew they were not fake because while working at my grandpa's print shop I always noticed political propaganda lying around. He used to print it for free, he never charged for any of it. His political party was illegal for many decades, and he enjoyed the fact that his party won the election during the mid-1980's before he passed away. The current government is also that same party, guess they re doing something right. I wonder if the Us Customs would've let me in if they knew I was this nuts...
Everyone has written about the elections lately. I can't be happier. I followed B. Obama since the primaries. I like to follow politics. Tell you the truth, I liked Dennis Kucinich more, he is just a firecracker. But I knew he was not going to win cuz he is too liberal sometimes. But little Dennis is my hero, he is the one who insisted on impeaching Bush and our heartless vicepresident, even after Pelosi said there was not going to be any impeachments. I think the benefit of the majority superseded the needs of the minorities in this election. Propositions 8 and 2, in California and Florida passed, probably because the black vote decidedly voted for Obama but was definitely against same sex marriage. I think this is a matter of education. The black voters followed their preachers, who obviously would be against anything unholy. Interference of Church in State affairs? Yep, aren't they a meddlesome bunch?
There is no need to blame or feel angry against anybody. It is much better to find a solution. I think protesting works. I do feel like we should voice our opinion, let's make ourselves heard. Can't help but feel like second class citizens. though. We didn't make enough to educate the black vote so they could understand we are being discriminated like they were being discriminated a couple of decades ago.
I attended a town hall meeting, not so long ago, in which the representative of the NAACP was in the panel of speakers. I remember she said, our fight is their fight and that they would be behind us 100%. Glenn can back me up on this, cuz he was there too. I feel like we are not alone in this. We can't do the fighting by ourselves and be taken seriously. Alliances are good. We have waited and we can wait a few more months, I understand there are priorities, like the economy. But we must keep this issue in the front of the news. Protests are good and the Day of Remembrance this month is a good time to be seen and heard. Find out when they're gonna have services in your area, try to attend, that's the least you can do.
It sucks to have a right being taken away from you by popular vote. Why is a right that everyone else has, included in a ballot for the majority to vote on? How did it get there in the first place? I don't know all the political intricacies but I suppose there is a clear disregard for a constitution that claims it contains inalienable rights for every citizen. Everyone is talking about how America has again become the greatest democracy in the world. How come other democracies like Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium have allowed same sex marriages for years now? Same sex partner benefits are also recognized in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa( the country, not the continent Palin followers...) and Spain. America has now to catch up.
So, if you have been caught in a rut for a while, remember you can't complain about your rights being taken away without doing nothing about it. Get off your couch, stop playing that video game, don't worry about dumb jocks and their affairs with grabbing a football and attend your local Day of Remembrance services. You know what we are remembering, right? If that is not enough motivation, I do not know what will :-)
*note: all the pictures are from the protests against the passing of Prop 8 in Cali. More than 5000 gathered to march, crazy people :-P
[Comment on this post]
Liberty and Justice for some...
Laura Carrillo November 10th, 2008 9:30 pm MSTRoutine. Day after day, hour after hour I feel like I have been trapped in a hamster wheel. A very entertaining and distracting wheel, indeed. I don't really feel like thinking, or doing the IM thing. Can't be bothered if making this wheel turn seems so interesting. It isn't really like there is a whole lot to do after coming back from work. Glenn calls me a bedbug: I get home, take off the work clothes and plop my ass on bed. Maybe I should find something interesting to do. But I don't feel like it. Besides the bed is soft, and the bedroom is the warmest room in the house. I don't really want to have any drama in my life, even though that would make my life a bit more interesting to retell. Yep, not a lot of things get me fired up these days, it is more comfy to sit in bed and play Neopets Flash games with my kids.
There is a turning point in your life when you stop doing crazy things. You remember certain things you rather keep to yourself. Like when you were in the back of a police car for disturbing the peace back in Peru. Or when you marched with a bunch of other college students, interrupting traffic and running the risk of being hit by a bus. I think it was a solidarity march with the miner's union, although I think it was a good excuse for skipping a failing class. Yea, the wild days. It was always a protest in Peru. We did like to complain a lot and let everyone know about it. Sometimes things got ugly, cops on horses were quite intimidating. And the water gun, ugh. Didn't sit in the cop car too long. My godfather ( Rip) was a colonel in the Peruvian Air Force and his name carried some weight. The slap on the face and the couple of kicks I got from the cops did not wipe the grin of my face as I was let go. Crazy days indeed. My grandpa had been a political prisoner during one of the numerous dictatorships Peru used to have. He never talked about it, but my mom always told me the stories. I knew they were not fake because while working at my grandpa's print shop I always noticed political propaganda lying around. He used to print it for free, he never charged for any of it. His political party was illegal for many decades, and he enjoyed the fact that his party won the election during the mid-1980's before he passed away. The current government is also that same party, guess they re doing something right. I wonder if the Us Customs would've let me in if they knew I was this nuts...
Everyone has written about the elections lately. I can't be happier. I followed B. Obama since the primaries. I like to follow politics. Tell you the truth, I liked Dennis Kucinich more, he is just a firecracker. But I knew he was not going to win cuz he is too liberal sometimes. But little Dennis is my hero, he is the one who insisted on impeaching Bush and our heartless vicepresident, even after Pelosi said there was not going to be any impeachments. I think the benefit of the majority superseded the needs of the minorities in this election. Propositions 8 and 2, in California and Florida passed, probably because the black vote decidedly voted for Obama but was definitely against same sex marriage. I think this is a matter of education. The black voters followed their preachers, who obviously would be against anything unholy. Interference of Church in State affairs? Yep, aren't they a meddlesome bunch?
There is no need to blame or feel angry against anybody. It is much better to find a solution. I think protesting works. I do feel like we should voice our opinion, let's make ourselves heard. Can't help but feel like second class citizens. though. We didn't make enough to educate the black vote so they could understand we are being discriminated like they were being discriminated a couple of decades ago.
I attended a town hall meeting, not so long ago, in which the representative of the NAACP was in the panel of speakers. I remember she said, our fight is their fight and that they would be behind us 100%. Glenn can back me up on this, cuz he was there too. I feel like we are not alone in this. We can't do the fighting by ourselves and be taken seriously. Alliances are good. We have waited and we can wait a few more months, I understand there are priorities, like the economy. But we must keep this issue in the front of the news. Protests are good and the Day of Remembrance this month is a good time to be seen and heard. Find out when they're gonna have services in your area, try to attend, that's the least you can do.
It sucks to have a right being taken away from you by popular vote. Why is a right that everyone else has, included in a ballot for the majority to vote on? How did it get there in the first place? I don't know all the political intricacies but I suppose there is a clear disregard for a constitution that claims it contains inalienable rights for every citizen. Everyone is talking about how America has again become the greatest democracy in the world. How come other democracies like Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium have allowed same sex marriages for years now? Same sex partner benefits are also recognized in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa( the country, not the continent Palin followers...) and Spain. America has now to catch up.
So, if you have been caught in a rut for a while, remember you can't complain about your rights being taken away without doing nothing about it. Get off your couch, stop playing that video game, don't worry about dumb jocks and their affairs with grabbing a football and attend your local Day of Remembrance services. You know what we are remembering, right? If that is not enough motivation, I do not know what will :-)
*note: all the pictures are from the protests against the passing of Prop 8 in Cali. More than 5000 gathered to march, crazy people :-P
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Purple America
Dan™ & Erin™ November 7th, 2008 3:03 pm MSTFor those of you who still think that the election was close, take a look at these two maps. One shows the counties in their actual size shaded blue or red based on what the population voted.
This map shows each county with a size set by the population. It looks a lot less red.
This is far more of the mandate the George W Bush claimed four years ago, this is a landslide. For those of you that fear a socialist government, let me just state the following:
1. Socialist nations like Denmark, Normay, Sweden and Holland have:
I've heard a lot of people claim that Obama was a socialist. He's not. I wish he was, but I would have been no more enthusiastic of his candidacy.
Be that as it may, why would socialism be so scary anyway?
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Please tell me your thoughts about my photos!
Cari (anne) Christi October 30th, 2008 7:50 pm MDTWhat are your thoughts about my photos and look? Love, Cari Christi[2 comments]
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday
Dan™ & Erin™ October 20th, 2008 1:50 pm MDTHalloween has always been my favorite Holiday. Godless heathen that I am, there aren't many holidays that don't have the flavor of one of more gods tainting them. That's all right. I love Solstice decorations, and even some Christmas decorations (I usually have angels on my tree). Easter is fun because of coloring eggs and candy. I guess you could say that I enjoy some holidays that have been co-opted by religions in spite of that. Halloween though has always had a special place in my heart. There isn't a related religious holiday to be seen. It's all about dressing up and having fun. A final harvest festival to usher in the cold snowy months. I just got news that is going to make Halloween even better for me. I just got a notice from the Clerk of the Court of Common Please, Franklin County Ohio, Domestic Division. After six long irritating years of playing silly buggers in the court system, the judge has finally lost patience and is going to grant me an uncontested divorce! My children and I haven't even SEEN their mother is eight years! I always celebrated Halloween in Boston with the drag queens and transvestites. It's always a really fun time. I've been planning a "Bachelor Party" to coincide with my divorce. I think this is going to be an annual event! Anyway, I'm excited. The only fly in the ointment is that I am supposed to be in court at 9 am and my flight for Boston is scheduled for 1:20 pm the same day, so I may have to see about pushing it back. Either way, I'm pretty excited!
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The Candidates, simplified
Dan™ & Erin™ October 9th, 2008 11:12 pm MDT[2 comments]
Untitled Post
Grace October 6th, 2008 1:45 pm MDTSo we agree to disagree. I "respect" your opinion and am comfortable with who I am and what I believe enough not to project it onto others to get VALIDATION....[6 comments]
Christianity
Grace October 3rd, 2008 5:43 pm MDTOn January 16th Dan posted a disturbing comment in his (public) journal. I don't personally know Dan, but from what else I have read - He is a nice guy. His post about Christianity was offensive to me, but this is not why I am writing. In another post he stated "As for religion and politics, maybe it doesn't belong here, but I think of journals as a way to express who are." I agree. However, was Dan expressing who he is or how ignorant Christians are? In any case I don't think politics, religion & SEXUALITY should be taboo as long as we are respectful of others and their life choices. Clearly that was not the case. I felt Christianity was being Mocked. Was it intentional - I prefer to believe it was not. Having said that, let's think about why we love this site so much. I believe it's because we can be who we are without fear of prejudice and judgement or being criticized for who we are and what we believe. Maybe I am naive and that is only applies to SEXUAL preference. If that's the case, it's a sad awakening for many of us, including me. Dan, thanks for reminding me why I choose the name GRACE.[1 comment]
What I wrote My Congressman regarding the US Economy
Jon October 1st, 2008 2:11 pm MDTI've been so disgusted listening to the Talking Heads spew bullshit on what needs to be done to get the Economy going again that I decided to write My Congressman. I encourage everyone to do the same, whether your view is in line with mine or diametrically opposed to it. Here's what I wrote My Congressman.
I'm writing to ask you 2 things and also to express my opinion.
1. Please Vote NO on any Tax Payer funded Bailout, of any kind, for Banks and Financial Institutions. As a Tax Payer, I do not want to see my Hard Earned Tax Dollars going to help out Companies or Institutions that have made irresponsible decisions. Large Firms should be treated no differently than Small Firms. If they can't stay afloat on their own, they should be allowed to go under.
2. Do NOT use my Hard Earned Tax Dollars to Subsidize the Mortgages of others. If a person was irresponsible enough to take out a Mortgage larger than they could afford then they should be foreclosed on. People must be held responsible for their actions. It would be grossly unfair to use My Hard Earned Tax Dollars to help pay off someone else's Mortgage. I have a hard enough time paying My Mortgage and My Monthly Bills without the Added Burden of Subsidizing someone else. Taxes are not levied by our Government to Redistribute wealth and it Offends me that it's even being considered.
My opinion on what should happen going forward...
1. Banks should require Substantial Down Payments before rewarding a Mortgage.
2. Banks should Verify Employment and Yearly Income before rewarding a Mortgage.
A comment on 1 and 2 above... This is what Banks always did until Our Government, towards the end of the 1990's, started pushing Banks to loosen their requirements so that more people could own homes. Well, guess what, not everyone can afford to own a home. I think that's pretty clear now and should have been obvious from the beginning.
3. Financial Institutions must be held responsible for the types of Financial Instruments they buy and sell. If they bundle up Worthless Sub Prime Mortgages into Financial Instruments and then can't sell them, well, that's life, they should be stuck with them. If it causes their Collapse, so be it.
To sum it up, Corporations AND Individuals must be held accountable for their actions. Using My and other people's Hard Earned Tax Dollars to Redistribute the Wealth to help the Rich OR the Poor, goes against everything this country stands for and the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.
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