Democracy for all--but only the US kind

Today the Monkey claims that his policies, his democracy, and his freedom has made it possible for the elections to take place in Iraq on Sunday. His feelings of vindication are at an all time high. In not so many words, the mantra of the day was "I told you so!". Tell us what exactly? That the insurgents could be held back for one day so people could vote in a tainted system? Show the world that democracy rules but only when it's the US flavored kind? Demonstrate once again that he has no concept of what he has done and left for generations to clean up? It's not clear what these neoconservatives are up to but I can tell you one thing, they are up to no good. These elections mean no more than those of a local high school for student council. It won't last and if the majority doesn't get what is sought, there will simply be more fighting, more chaos. This will continue until the Bush administration pulls out of Iraq. Not going to happen. Need proof? 14 "embassy's" are currently under construction throughout Iraq. Another name for embassy, at least in the land of Monkey Bush = military bases/permanent soldier housing. The military will remain for a very very very long time. All this baloney about "After the elections if the people of Iraq ask the US to leave, we will!" is a bunch of hooey. They aren't going anywhere. With the exception of Iran, back to Saudi Arabia, and any other place there is lots of oil to protect. The Bush Administration = the new Imperialism. Pillage and plunder but only in places with black gold.

The apartment search is looking good. David called back tonight with several other questions about the cats in particular. Wanted to know where we would keep the litter box, if we would flush the scooping from the box, when Sam was neutered. He's concerned (and with good reason) that there may very well be a pissing war for territory. It could happen. Sam has never lived with other cats, only a German Shepard and he actually did amazingly well with it. Girl cats on the other hand, who knows. We will have to do a good job of assimilating them with the place and with one another. Should know by the end of the day tomorrow if we are going to be the residents of 327 Highland or not. My guess is it's a yes. I must admit the thought of moving is not sounding appealing whatsoever. Have only been here a year and some change. But, if things are going to progress with Miss B, packing up boxes, hauling furniture, and conquering several flights of stairs is a must. I am looking forward to it all with a bold enthusiasm never felt before.

The Search is on!

It's official, this weekend, Miss B and I began our search for housing in which to co-habitate. We had been talking about it post Hawaii trip (seeing as we made it through without even a skirmish) and collectively decided at the year mark in June, households would be joined and move in with one another. One week after this discussion B's roommate broke the news that she would be moving out of state thus leaving her with three options: 1) find a sublet until June 2) move into my place 3) ask to move the co-habitational timeline up. The first option didn't seem to be worth it. By the time she actually found someone, got them settled in and adjusted to life with them it would be June. Second option is only a backup in the event that we don't find something by the end of February. Although I have never lived with someone before (yes, I am 36 and haven't done this, what kind of lesbian am I anyway?!?!? Apparently I never got my U-Haul) it simply doesn't sound like a good idea to move two people into a once single space. The third option seems like the right thing to do.

Saturday was spent viewing 6 apartments and one house in various neighborhoods throughout San Francisco. The East Bay isn't an option. It's hard enough to get me to cross the bridge once a week for Sunday night dinner much less drive back and forth every day for work. It isn't going to happen in this lifetime. Especially after chatting with the Bear in Training and his experience daily about how that dang bridge is a demon. Since arriving in San Francisco almost 8 years ago I have lived in three neighborhoods: The Castro, The Mission, and Bernal Heights, in that order. With each move it appears I am getting further and further from the heart of the city. When visiting apartments in The Mission and the home in Noe, it's obvious I am not used to the hustle and bustle of these areas. There is no parking, apartments are right on top of one another, and there are just so many people. Bernal Heights is quiet, clean, hassle free parking, and a little bit of the country in the city. Yet three blocks away there is a grocery store, coffee shop, restaurants, and videos. It's where we want to be. Today it was decided to wait it out to find the right place in Bernal. It would of course violate the feelings surrounding option two however and it would only be temporary.

There was a diamond in the rough just down the street from the current abode on Elsie street. It is a two bedroom, with hardwood floors, huge kitchen with breakfast nook, bay windows, view of the east bay, clawfoot tub and half bath, hook ups for washer/dryer, parking and storage space, as well as a garden to play in. The landlord's name is David and he's a hoot. A midwesterner from Ohio and a down to earth fella. He made us laugh and we did the same. Dropped off credit reports today as well as reiterated interest in occupying the second floor. He said "I've got a few more people to see and details to work out but I like you guys!". Only time will tell. Fingers and toes are crossed in hopes it happens. And if this doesn't, something else will. It's a matter of being patient and waiting it out.

Other worldwide searches...Let's see...Iraq is searching for a constitution. In fine Monkey Bush administration form, a timeline of six months has been thrust upon the Iraqi people to develop a constitution. Six months people. Are they serious? It's not as though they are drafting up a couple of plays for a football team or a vision statement for some company. It's a constitution for one of the most complicated countries in the world. What will the role of Islam be in the government? What sort of parliament will be elected in the "free elections" where now according to the Monkey "The flag of liberty has been planted.". Six months is a joke to think that this can possibly happen. Perhaps it can be written by the puppeteers who write everything else for the United States of Corporate America. Once again showing how disconnected and unrealistic this so called President of ours is from reality. As the po-dunk would say himself "We gotta learn them freedoms and liberties." Allah help us all.

Great Grandma Wagner

Not sure why but thoughts tonight reflected on Great Grandma Wagner. She was like any other Lohr--stubborn, hard working, stoic, and downright silly. Never got to meet Grandpa Wagner but apparently he was a crazy fella and one never knew what the heck he was going to do next. They owned a farm of about 400 acres (a lot in those days) which my dad says was the place where he learned to cuss like a sailor, drink a beer after a long hard days work in the summer, and be employed by someone other than his father. Grandma and Grandpa Wagner were two peas in a pod and were married for at least 50 years. He thought the world of her and she the same of him. You don't come by love and commitment like that every day.

When I was 6 or 7, Great Grandma Wagner had an apartment in town, just off the Wisconsin river. She had moved off the farm once Grandpa Wagner died to live in "town". (a community of about 4,000 people at that time) Our family would take her to church from time to time or stop by randomly to check on her and give her a little company. Her place was very small with a steep set of stairs, she lived on the top floor. It had a summer porch off the back where she would drink lemonade and listen to the radio. Grandma W. lived there for a long time and eventually she started to "forget" things, what they now term as early stage Alzheimer's. I remember hearing dad say that she was "losing it" and being confused as to what it meant.

One time after church we stopped in to take her to dinner. (Dinner in WI is at lunch, wherein dinner becomes supper. How Little House on the Prairie is that?!?!) My mom and I climbed the mountainous staircase, knocked on the door and after some time Grandma W. appeared. She had us in for a bit while she finished getting ready to go out and there was a terrible stench in the apartment. Mom, in her very midwestern way said "Now Grandma Wagner, what do you suppose that smell is?" to which she replied, "I have been trying to figure that out for days, glad you noticed Doris.". We all looked around here and there and eventually Mom found a pan of stew under the couch. Grandma W. began to forget more and more important things. Leaving the iron on, cooking things on the stove and burning them to a crisp forgetting they were there, what day it was and that we were picking her up for church. At some point she was placed in a nursing home and we still went to visit however it was depressing at best. She would tell us the same story about how when she was a young girl on the farm she would go help neighbors, jump the fence here, there, and the next thing she would be at home again and it was nightfall. Then she would start in again...."I would visit the Yankees, and then hop the fence to the Millers..." It was sad to see such a brilliant woman deteriorate so quickly.

Not exactly sure what made me think of Great Grandma Wagner today. But I'm glad I did. Makes me think about where I came from and ended up the person I am today. Great Grandma Wagner where ever you are, thanks for all your hugs, jokes, stories, and general silliness. You are missed. Oh, and she made the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies too! Like any good German farm wife would ya' know!

Roe V. Wade

Before getting out thoughts on the subject of Roe v. Wade, I would like to address the anonymous comment posted last night. What a blog is for = thoughts, rants, opinions, creativity, and possibly reach out to someone sharing the same experience. What a blog is not = a place to ridicule, name call, and judge. Life's too short to be hating on one another. So, if you don't like what you read, move on. Simple enough.

The conservatives in this country are pushing and prodding the issue of Roe v. Wade to be overturned within the next four years. Mind you, they always have been there however there is a force behind it now with the illness of one of the Supreme Court judges and the likelihood that he will step down, allowing the Monkey to appoint. Also with the Republican control of the House and Senate, an appointment would sail through with much less dissention in the ranks. Wha-la, conservative judge. An article in the paper today phrased the Monkey as "the poster child supporter for overturning Roe v. Wade". Undoubtedly it's true. Why wouldn't he support it? He's a god fearing man after all....or something like that.

It's hard to grasp the reasoning behind overturning this decision. Why would such steps backwards be taken? Women whom needed abortions prior to it being legal went to any length to obtain one, legal or not. What this produced were back alley operations with coat hangers, infection, and death. Sure, there is the argument for it's killing a life but that is just an opinion actually, isn't it? One Congressman on KPFA today was quoted as saying that abortion is the largest genocide to date. America kills unwanted babies and the Lord will ensure retribution. I am not so sure who made this dude the spokesman for the Lord but he's spreading the word, appointed or not. Point is, regardless of people going to hell in a handbasket or not, it's still their decision and making it illegal is not going to make unwanted pregnancies (of any circumstance) disappear. Same theory applied to alcohol during prohibition. Did that work? Nope, not really. How about the war on drugs. How's that going? Not-so-hotso. With the medical technology at our fingertips it is downright idiotic to overturn Roe v. Wade. Like the bumper sticker says, "Keep the US out of my uterus!". True dat. I really hope and pray Roe v. was stays in tact. For the betterment of all.

It was a long Monday. Have been doing what I can to keep the germs at bay and remain healthy. Lots of Emergency, bananas, and water to flush the system. People are dropping like flies from the flu. Miss B was in bed all day and didn't go teach the children of the world she felt so awful. We chatted a few times today and she sounded just exhausted. Her head is about to explode. Poor Miss B. Doubt she will be back in the swing any time soon. I did manage to get a lot done at work today. Always a good feeling when it is truly is never ending. Taking it hour by hour, day by day has helped a lot and it doesn't feel as overwhemling as years past. One thing is for sure, there will always be more work. No need to get my knickers in a twist about that.

Music of this post: Stereolab--Margerine Eclipse
Salmonella Dub--Inside the Dub Plates

Black Thursday

The much dreaded day arrived, the Monkey Bush was sworn in to "serve" the United States of America for another four years. How odd that this term is used. With many other presidents it certainly applies...Clinton, Carter, Kennedy. All of these gentlemen were here to serve the american public, to make this country and the world a better place. However, the Monkey doesn't see it this way. It's his right to bend the powers bestowed upon him by the ignorant 51% of the public to push forth his agenda, or more appropriately, the puppeteers behind it.

KCRW (online radio station listened to at work) carried the events of the inauguration and Monkey Bush's speech. It was as though I was watching a train wreck and couldn't take my eyes off of the destruction and madness which was known to be on it's way. It arrived in the form of the phrase "Liberty and Freedom". Apparently Monkey Bush and this administration has three goals: liberty, freedom, and the securing of America. This is odd. The concept of liberty and freedom inherently has to do with equal rights for all, a sense that there are no boundaries. Hm. This is puzzling. During the race for the White House, the Monkey spoke over and over again how the sanctity of marriage must be protected and be only between a man/woman. Teachers should be paid only on the results of their students. That he held the purse strings of America and he was spending money on what was really important...liberty and freedom. None of this appears to be an attitude which opens the floodgates for these two items. According to the Monkey, there are people who simply don't deserve the same rights nor treatment based on sexual orientation, profession, or economic status. And as for securing America, how in the world is that going to work anyway? By putting up more and more roadblocks for people entering the country? By making everyone here so afraid that they won't go anywhere? WHAT?!?!?!? I'll tell you this. What is in front of us is another four long years of the village idiot from Texas pushing conservatism forward and keeping this country as uninformed as possible.

It appears the flu is amongst us like wildfire. Several folks have ended up with the worst kind: barfing, aches/pains, headache, sore throat, exhaustion, and a head cold. Miss B is one of those folks. She woke up on Saturday with a headache. We went to yoga (which ROCKED by the way) and it went away, somewhat. Spent some time around the apartment reading and it appeared to come back a bit. Eventually made a trek to the grocery store and she had to go outside for fresh air and thought she was going to pass out. We were supposed to meet up with several friends to go out dancing that night and one by one they called to say they were feeling under the weather and couldn't even think about getting their groove on. Just as well seeing as Miss B had to cancel due to stomach turbulence. She's not feeling any better tonight either so I took her some 7UP and popsicles. Also spent some time with A today too and she was feeling under the weather--sore throat. Took her some wonton soup, Emergency, and kick ass cookies. With all that, am sure she will be on the road to recovery soon. Even though she was illin' we did get to hang out on the couch chatting while she knitted a scarf. How cute is that?

Can't believe how much I love yoga. Since the New Year, have been attending class 3 days per week. (Before it was just once a week.) Can tell already how much going more consistently pays off. I can do full on bridge poses and last Thursday, I almost did an independent headstand! That has never happened before. I remember starting classes last year thinking "Jesus I am NEVER going to be able to do this!" and it's actually happening...I'm doing yoga and doing it well! Within the next couple of months I hope to do an immersion class to really hone in on furthering these skills. Can't wait!

Cleaning Frenzy and Cat TV

Sunday morning was an opportunity to take in the car and do a good cleaning. It shines like on one's business! I also detailed it so when you sit in the seats they squeak which makes a fart-like sound. This of course sends me into fits of giggles ever single time. The house also needed attending to so it was time to repot some plants (a huge jade given to me by the gardening lesbians in the east bay) and bust out the vacuum cleaner. This place is frickin' spotless. Although Sammy the cat will change that soon enough. He has been shedding like a madcat and it looks as though at times there are 4 cats which live here.

Speaking of Sammy, he has his own version of television in the house these days. For birthday #36 Miss Becky presented a Betta fish to satisfy my obsession with aquatic life. He is red and lives in a bowl with a wizard figurine in my hallway on a telephone book stand which also holds my keys, cell phone, letters to be mailed, etc. Since Little B's arrival (short for Little Betta) Sammy cannot stop watching him. Little B doesn't really move around a whole lot as ideally his water temperature would be much warmer than it is. Even after purchasing a heat lamp for him it's still a bit chilly due to the frigid air in this apartment. It isn't well insulated and it has this wall unit heater which does a great job of warming up the ceiling in the hallway but that is about it. Hence, he has been placed in the warmest section of the house. Currently Sammy is perched on the couch waiting for Little B to jump out of the bowl so he can have a quick snack. Perhaps Sammy's happy he finally has a pal around when I'm not here. For a few months I was lobbying for a second cat but Becky has persuaded otherwise. Whenever I bring it up she very sternly replies "We can't be the crazy cat ladies and trust me, you don't want to live with 4 cats." She's right I suppose, the cat litter alone is enough to make me rethink that idea in a hurry. Hopefully Little B will be here for a while and I won't be the classic clod I can be at times and drop him down the sink or something awful like that.

Speaking of TV, it's been over a year since I have had an active one in my home. Previously it wasn't imagined that I would lead a life without cable television since it's arrival when I was a freshman in college. (It was around in the world before I went to college, I'm not that old, but where my parents live, they STILL can't get it.) I have walked away from the television and it's a good thing. It was clear to me how long it's been since I arranged my schedule based on what I wanted to watch that night when two friends were attempting to persuade me to watch something or another that I had to watch. Actually, no I don't. If mind numbing and relaxation is needed, TV simply doesn't do it for me anymore. There are several other things I can think of in about 10 seconds or less which I would rather do than listen to someone else yammer on and on inside the little black box. I completely understand how/why people do it and if it works for them, that's great. I'm just not part of it anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still own my TV and watch movies. But tied down to several weekly programs, nope.

Becky is back from Ohio where when she left it was a whopping nine degrees above zero. 9. Not even double digits. She then flew to Minneapolis for a switch of planes to find an even worse situation, a grand total of two. I can't believe I used to exist in weather like that. Can remember going to wait for the bus and refusing to wear a hat (because it wasn't cool!) and my hair was turn into pure ice. Nose hairs would freeze. We would run from building to building (or waddle was more like it due to all the layers we had on) to stay somewhat warm. No way no how am I going to live in that again. No thanks. A hoodie and beanie is it for winter wear, thanks. Anyway, I'm super happy Miss B has returned safe, sound, and all in one piece. She also reiterated that we won't be living in the midwest anytime soon...whew!

No WMD's, No Right to Speak

This week the ultimate dupe of the American public, the Weapons of Mass Destruction facade which powered the Bush regime agenda to send troops to war, wherein the search was very quietly called off. A few articles here and there in the paper, nothing making headlines, very unlike the hour by hour information which flowed prior to war pounding into the brains of the citizens of this country stating what an imminent threat Iraq was based on this information that there was some sort of possibility that the WMD's existed. This administration is on the cusp of another 4 years and it's unclear if any sort of reprimand will take place. It makes me sick to my stomach to think of all the lives lost (both US soldiers and people of Iraq) as well as millions of dollars spent based on these lies. To make matters worse Monkey Bush insists he did nothing wrong and has taken the correct course of action the entire time. As he consistently does and can never accept defeat. The main monkey must be uber relieved that something like the devastating tsunami has taken the spotlight off of his utter stupidity and inability to self actualize.

On another Monkey Bush note apparently statements were made regarding protesters at the upcoming inauguration. 4 years ago when he was making the trek to the inaugural site, protesters lined the route throwing eggs and the limousine, chanting "Not our president!", waving signs signifying the public felt Florida went to Gore, clearly making a statement that there was a significant portion of the United States whom didn't support nor believe this man was in fact their president. In anticipation of the same events taking place, Monkey Bush spoke out this week. He stated there will be no protesting and if anyone attempts to do they will be taken to jail and have federal charges pressed against them. This seems odd. Shouldn't the public be allowed to protest in an orderly fashion, even if it is acting out against the Commander in Chief? Is this not free speech? As long as the citizens gathered don't cause a harmful ruckus they should be allowed to assemble peacefully to speak their mind. However, not the case this year. There is also a large group putting a letter together to place in several largely circulated newspapers such as the New York Times. It's suspected that these will be banned because they are "not patriotic". Whatever that means. Only this administration can get away with measures silencing the very people whom are supposed to be represents. Once again, this points to a regime and not an elected president.

Miss Becky is in Ohio. Her grandma passed away last week so she boarded the plane Thursday morning to face the this difficult situation and extremely cold weather. It's been odd not having her here and the constant reminder from other folks that I am alone. I guess this is what happens once you have been with someone for a while, people just expect you to be together. I am looking very forward to her return and am missing her something terrible. She sang at the funeral today and it went well but was quite difficult. Miss B and I celebrated our 7 month anniversary on Thursday. Seems like we have been together much longer than that. Several folks have asked if we are married and assume we live together. Must be a sign that we are good together.

Being on my own today I woke up at 9:30 and then went to yoga. It was a good class and am so glad to have been attending 3 days a week since the new year. Keeps me focused and calm unlike anything ever before. Plus it's exercise and lord knows that never hurts. After that it was a trip to the east bay to help friends Babs and Raelyn in their garden. The front yard needed sprucing up because of all the rain so I was in charge of the weed eater. Talk about gratifying! Taking weeds out in one swoop--now that is fun! Then went to the Drostinator's house to eat tons of Chinese food and watch two films, Anchorman Ron Burgundy and The Snapper. Had seen Anchorman once before and liked it. Think the out takes were perhaps the best part. The Snapper was a long wordy Irish film which simply couldn't be finished. Now here I am curled up with Sammy in bed watching Saturday Night Live. Yep, I'm single this weekend.

X

Just returned from a show at Slim's. Purchased the ticket to see the band 50 ft. Wave, a spin off of Throwing Muses. My ears are ringing like mad and the body a bit sore for being tossed to and fro while the nearby mosh pit worked it's sway of the crowd. The pit was not created by the 50 ft. Wave fans. These concert goers were seen as the mild, mellow crowd and most left after the performance. The front quarter of the venue was truly occupied by the X fans who were there to rock out and rock out hard. 50 ft. Wave was merely seen as a speed bump or distraction and the crowd really wasn't all that receptive. I on the other hand thought they tore the place up and put on the most tight performance thus far in their short career as a band. (About a year or so, perhaps more.)

X is an old school punk band with a rockabilly twist. Think Ramones with a chick singer and a bit more talent. Formed in 1977 in LA, they caught on like wildfire and soon developed an underground following and signed to an independent label. Clearly one of the oldest US punk bands. There were two guys standing behind me giving one another the run down of shows they have seen, favorite albums, band membership changes and back again. It was my own personal behind the music and history lesson prior to the first chord being struck.

Lights go down. Crowd goes absolutely apeshit as all 4 members hit the stage one by one. At first glance it appeared someone's grandparents had snuck up on stage, not the punk band X. It is apparent they have lived the rockstar lifestyle for quite some time and the wear and tear of hard drugs and alcohol have aged them a tad bit prematurely. First a hard bass line, then the drums kick in followed by some dude named Johnny Zoom on the guitar. Grandma chick singer pops in lyrics to an old favorite and it's off and running to a real live punk show. The pit was quickly formed, elbows, arms, heads spinning out of control while the push and shove of those supporting the pit just on the outside of the mayhem keeps it a well oiled machine. Drinks are thrown, the floor gets slippery, people dropping like flies but the outer pit community picks them right back up and in they go! A few minor fights break out here and there but for the most part everyone moshing got along well without incident. Which is the point I suppose. X played song after song and the energy build throughout the evening while it finally popped with the very last encore. (3 total) Don't think I will be running to Amoeba to purchase X albums anytime soon however I do feel fortunate to have seen such legends, or as they were explained.

Now I just have to stop this ringing in my ears!

36

This past Saturday the number 36 arrived in my life. Although per a birthday card from mom, I was not only having another birthday, it was my 39th none the less! She called to confirm that indeed there was a misrecollection of what year Pauline Kay Lohr arrived on the planet. It was 1969, not 1966. The latter was the year Greg, the older brother was born. At first it was thought perhaps I was Greg's twin and wasn't smart enough so after 3 years in kindergarten, I was then let loose to move forward while Greg far surpassed me. Then it occurred to me that perhaps mom was losing it and simply didn't know how to track her kids anymore. Not so. She's the sharpest tool in the shed and senility is far far from where my mom is today. She called in the morning, sang happy birthday, and then informed me I was in fact 36 and she goofed documenting the date. Whoopsy!

Every year I have my mom tell me about the day I was born. I am the third of 4 kids. By the time mom was pregnant with numero 3 she knew what she could handle, what labor pains felt like, and when the baby was on it's way. It was about 5pm and she was reading stories to my older sister and brother, Debbie and Greg while laying on the bed. Mom knew I was on the way and it was time so she called down to the barn where dad was milking cows and said "Dear, it's time to go to the hospital, the baby is on it's way." to which dad replied "Hold on honey, I've got 20 more cows to milk!" and hung up the phone. Doris rang Mel a few more times and with each call he told her how many cows he had left and that she was just going to have to wait. Finally, her water broke. This was it, I was showing up whether dad was done milking cows or not. Mom called one more time and in her very mom way said "I don't care how many cows you have left my water broke and we have to leave NOW!". Off to Baraboo, WI they went which was a good half hour away and it was snowing like no one's business. Debbie and Greg got dropped off at Grandma and Grandpa Lohr's house along the way. Eventually Mom and Pop arrived at the hospital and 20 minutes later I was brought into this world. This was long before father's went into the delivery room. My dad has seen many a calf being born however his own kids? No way, not a chance. The doctor walked dad down the hall and they peered in the window together. Dad looked up and said "Wow, that sure is a great son I have go there!". Wishful thinking on his part I think and the doctor said "Mel, she's wrapped in a pink blanket, you have got yourself a girl!". And so my life began as a tomboy...I didn't have a chance.

36 is an odd number to turn. I am no longer in my mid-thirties, this is pretty much on the way to the 40's. Although I don't think/act like an adult of almost over the hill proportions, it's still strange to think that I of all people am thirty six years of age. It's inevitable. You can always count on taxes, death, and the aging process.

Had a great day and Miss Becky spoiled me rotten. Started the day with yoga class. While I was parking the car Becky told the teacher it was my birthday and the next thing you know I am demonstrating a handstand for the class and they are singing the happy birthday song. How cute is that? We then went to dimsum at Yank Sing. SOOOOO GOOD! I never have had it before. The sesame balls, could eat those forever let me tell ya! Then it was off to the Eagle for pre-pizza drinks. Told Miss B that she could drink for me and I would celebrate my day by staying sober. And I did...it was that easy! Eventually we ended up at Pauline's Pizza joined by lots of other folks. It was a blast and I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful day. So far, 36 isn't so bad! Thank you all for the great cards, gifts, and thoughtfulness on my special day. Well, me, Elvis, and David Bowie!

Sometimes it's ok to Follow the Crowd

Christmas day Miss B and I were in the Place of Refuge, Hawaiian sacred grounds, where perhaps the best snorkeling on the Big Island was to be had. Some locals sent us in this direction and their recommendation lived up to the high marks given. Upon our arrival we found several other tourists had heard the same thing and it was somewhat crowded. Trekking across the small tide pools and molten lava, a spot was secured, sun screen slathered on, and it was off to snorkel! First time all trip seeing as when we were in Kona the beaches were closed due to extremely high surf, evidently this happens every year around Christmas.

Several people had found a good spot to enter the ocean off the lava reef. It appeared to be a bit of a wait to maneuver into the water through the crowd. Miss B suggested we walk over and take our turn at waiting to take the big dive. Of course, possessing the patience of a 3 year old child, I suggest taking an alternate path right near where we have set up camp and go for it. The water was an inviting crystal clear blue and hopes were high that sea turtles and dolphins would be found to swim amongst. Eager to get in, I slowly began to walk on the anemone covered reef made very quickly aware that there were also prickly sea urchins stabbing into my feet if steps weren't maneuvered with extreme caution. If I had gotten dressed that morning and put my patient pants on, I would have immediately turned around, taken the extra 10 minutes to walk over where everyone else was and waited to get into the ocean. Did that happen? No. I pushed on further and Miss B was now behind me discovering the same uncomfortableness and trickiness in making our way to the fish. From out of no where a very strong wave slapped up and over me pushing me right into Miss B so I took her out at the knees and drag her down with me. At this point, neither of us can stand up because the tide is too strong nor can we swim because it's too shallow and if we aren't careful, we are going to end up with a face full of sea urchin tendrils. We got tossed around here and there a few more times causing more damage to the sea life on the reef and to our bodies. Eventually we make it into the water where it's noticed the bottom of my foot is bleeding profusely. It had gotten cut very deeply on the coral amidst the twisting, turning, and falling involved previously. We also both noted that the sea urchins had won and were sending us home with several of their prickers stuck in our feet, arms, where ever they could attach. Swam around for a while, saw some amazing fish, coral, divers, other snorkelers, and then it occurred to me, sharks are attracted to blood. Apparently Miss B was thinking the same thing. I attempted to act all smooth and say, "You know, I should probably get out and check this thing." when all I really wanted to do was get out of the water to ensure JAWS wasn't on his way.

No sharks ever turned up and we did go out for another round of snorkeling which was phenomenal. However, my foot did continue to bleed profusely and it put a damper on some of the hiking we did later on in the vacation. The cut is still healing now and yesterday was the first time a big huge bandaid wasn't warn in a very long time. Lesson here? When snorkeling and it's obvious there is a good place to enter the water that everyone appears to be using, it might be a good idea to follow suit. If you would like to see what sea urchin tendrils look like stuck in skin, just let me know. Looks as though my body is stuck with a few of them for life!

The Gays--a tourist attraction

Oi oi oi. Work hurt my head today. This was the return following a rather significant hiatus. For the first time in a few weeks I had to: 1) wear shoes all day long 2) look at a computer screen and sift through 2,549 emails, most of which were spam or so dated it didn't really matter anyway 3) answer my phone several times because the dang thing wouldn't stop ringing 4) console employees whom had a few bumps in the road while I was absent 5) reprimand an employee who apparently went straight down the tubes the minute my vacation started (PIP may be visiting in the near future) 6) pretend like I care about production planning and the world of safety, quality, and productivity 7) be alive, alert, awake, and enthusiastic 8) do something other than snorkel for the day 9) make my own coffee because the regular stop on the way to work was closed for the day 10) wear a watch and have concern for time. The list is much longer than this but that is enough. One thing I am going to attempt to make better this year is to avoid being so negative towards work. I have to do it so why not try to make it as fun as possible? We will see how it goes.

Adventure #1 in Hawaii--Becky and I were a tourist attraction. The big island is considered the most remote and undeveloped. With that I suppose comes a lesser developed tolerance for we gay folks. It also was a major holiday and lots of people coming from all over the world to hang out in the land of aloha so it's not surprising that we shocked and confused most where ever we went. Other islands like Maui or Oahu are a bit more tolerant. It all started once we got out of the Land of Oz, San Francisco. While toting ourselves across the Honolulu airport to get to the Wiki Wiki shuttle bus for the local flight, families began the stare down. The looks on their faces made it clear that it was difficult for them to understand exactly what Becky and I were. This continued on throughout the trip. On Christmas day in a coffee shop in Kona an older gentleman could not take his eyes off me. Eyes buldging out of his head, he kept looking at me the entire time while we were there as if to say "Looks like a girl from the front but the rear view, who knows. And it's with a woman. Hmmmm...what IS that over there?!?!". We also got gazes from several small children, those of which I can understand why they would be so confused. Kids stare and just don't care how long they are looking, it seems to them it's the most appropriate thing to do. The only place on the trip that we didn't cause a ruckus was in the southeastern portion of this island in the district of Puna. Nobody really gave two shakes if we were gay, straight or otherwise. What a relief to land in San Francisco again where most everyone has seen a queerbot, and might even know one. Perhaps we did some educating along the way....who knows.

Briefly Brief

Vacation is over. Time to head back to work and start the new year off with writing 5 performance reviews. I was supposed to do all that before leaving on vacation however procrastination kicked in and here I am with boatloads to do upon returning. I suppose it can be viewed as throwing myself right back in reducing the inability to get overwhelmed and distracted. Yeah....right. It was bound to happen and here I am facing work again for the first time in almost three weeks.

Hawaii was amazing. I can't even begin to do it justice in one small posting. The Big Island is the way to go! So much to see on the biggest island in the chain and so much more to see the next time we go. We had all sorts of topography and climate changes merely driving for 10 minutes. We snorkeled, went scuba diving (Becky saw a shark on her first dive ever!), hiked around Volcano National Park, swam with sea turtles, and basked in the sea/sun drinking coconut milkshakes--perhaps the most filling and sweetest things on the planet, and ate so much good food! I Hawaii! So much more to talk about in terms of the trip but it's time for me to tuck myself into bed and get some shuteye before dawn breaks and the alarm goes off. Doesn't help that the rain is coming down in buckets since returning. It's going to be a wet one in San Francisco this winter. Better be sure to put on your rubbers....oh, I mean galoshes....hee hee. It's what they called them growing up in the midwest. Once I realized the other meaning of rubbers when in middle school, I was completely confused! More documentation headed your way!