Don't you love The Rapture (the band, not the religious thang)? Boy, I do. They are just too much fun.

I'm reading a great book, "Gay Old Girls", by Zsa Zsa Gershick. It's a handful of interviews with (now) elderly lesbians about being gay in this country before the 1960's. It's very interesting. I feel there is more research emphasis on the historical male gay experience...Harry Hay and Mattachine and all that. While all that was certainly bold and groundbreaking and very important, it seems (according to these interviews) that lesbians had more of a challenge finding any type of "community" to speak of. I guess it's rather futile to say who was more oppressed - everyone suffered from the police raids, the community and familial scorning, lack of role models and an accessible and safe environment to really understand what being gay meant. Three cheers for discrimination and ignorance - the American Way!

Song of the day: "Virginia Woolf" - Indigo Girls

Healing from this flu is slow going. I know I'm not the most patient person in the world, but I have this naive notion that when you're on antibiotics and such, you get better fast. Nope. I have completed all the courses of my medication, not worked at all this week (that made me feel worse than being sick), consumed gallons of liquids, and sealed myself off from all other recognizable human life in order not to make anyone else ill. There are times when I've made real progress, so "cleverly" I'll try to get up and do something around the house. This exhausts me so much I usually end up back in bed wishing I hadn't tried in the first place. I'm really not a Christmas person, but this year has to rank among the worst I've experienced.

I cannot express to you how terrible this flu is. Please don't get it.

In other news, I was watching the Lawrence community channel last night on television, and they were showing this community theater production of "A Lawrence Nutcracker". Now granted, I started watching it in the middle (you know my fetish with bad television), but it was pretty messed up. From what I could discern, it was the traditional "Nutcracker" story (minus the Bolshoi Ballet, of course), but John Brown, noted "abolitionist", was a main character. He was singing and dancing interspersed with rants about slavery. I kept watching to see when he was going to take an ax and start chopping up people, but I got bored. These folks in Kansas are crazy.

I have THE FLU, the one that's killing children and small woodland creatures in Colorado. In fact, you should probably wash your hands after reading this post. I'm in some serious, serious pain. Although there's not much medically that can be done, I went to the doctor anyway and got some various inhalers and antibitoics. I know it's easy to say this every time one gets sick, but I don't remember ever feeling this bad. The ache in my neck and back is pure agony. I can't swallow my throat is so swollen. All I can manage to eat is Kemp's Cow Tracks Ice Cream and Malto Meal. Oh...woe is me.

Some Recent Observations

* I'm still doing lines of "90210" reruns every morning. This morning's episode involved underage drinking, democracy in action, and adults facing no consequences for supplying alcohol to minors. God, I love that show. It's so campy.

* The Episcopal Church is in severe disarray.

* Sliding doors on showers should have warning labels. I nailed my leg the other day on the metal base that the doors slide on, and now I have a rather bad-ass bruise on my leg. I just tell everyone I "fell down the stairs".

* Jack White has been roughing up people. Does this make him tough? Not in the least bit. That smarmy moustache just ruins it. No talent ass clown...

* Micheal Jackson has been officially accused. Let's all listen to "Smooth Criminal" in his honor, shall we?

* My sleeping pills work a little too well. I usually have a hang over until about noon these days.

* I just remembered I like Lake Trout. Damn, they're a fine band. Kindly check them out.

* Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than people at the grocery store who bag your groceries and decide to talk your ear off about things you don't want to hear.

Song of the day: "Oh Holy Night" - by some absolutely HORRIBLE guy who can't sing a lick. It's something my sister found for me. Remind me to burn it for you sometime.

I was coerced into attending a showing of "The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King" last night. I was placated with a bucket of cotton candy and an enormous diet coke and a night off from work, which made it more bearable. I didn't think it was that bad, but not that good either. On the other hand, I'm not a foaming at the mouth fan. I had to talk Jason down from the ledge afterwards, because he is one of those fans, and was quite perturbed at the betrayal of the books. The most entertaining part had to be the people who had dressed in costumes I assume were to represent characters, but they seemed to really be trying a little too hard. There were several times I had to stifle outward peals of laughter and disguise them as coughs. I can be quite obsessive about movies as well - "What's Up Doc?" for example - but you don't see me dressing up as a chinese dragon or anything. Yeah. I guess it takes all sorts.

I was listening to the "Hedwig" tribute album yesterday. I'm not sold. Frank Black singing "Sugar Daddy" is a little disturbing to me.

Song of the day: "The Decline of British Sea Power" - British Sea Power.

I try to be a reasonable person most of the time. But the details surrounding Mr. Hussein's capture are a little strange to me. Christian mementos, "rat holes" and hot dogs? Explaining who he was in English without putting up a fight? What little I know about the man makes me question the ease (not a single shot fired?) with which it all went down. Our government brought this guy to power, and maybe we have taken him out of power with the same careful orchestration and cooperation. And of course, this news comes close on the heels of the whole Haliburton thing - the press has dropped that story pretty quickly. Hm. Something to ponder as I prepare myself for another four years of George W. Bush.

Song of the day: "El Salvador" - Peter, Paul and Mary.

Saddam has been captured. The end justifies the means, right?

It snowed here last night. Quite a bit. Every year during the first snow, I stomp around and sulk, almost in disbelief of the weather - as if I haven't lived in this all my life. It never fails - I don't actually have an overpowering desire to go anywhere until I can't. Well, I could, but I'm trying to spare Whitey Mazda any further discomfort. It's now officially the "Stay Inside and Catch Up on Your Reading" season.

I had to get a tetanus booster shot when I was at the doctor the other day. The actual injection didn't hurt, but now my arm has swollen up, is all red and itchy, and really hurts. The fact that small children are subjected to this so they can attend public school is beginning to seem cruel and unusual to me.

Speaking of needles, one of my clients had to get a lab draw this morning. He's nonverbal, and has a limited understanding of things, so he was clueless when the nurse showed up before breakfast. Jason and I had to hold on to him pretty tightly to keep him still during the draw, and when the needle went in to his arm, he just looked at us like "you just woke me up, and now you're torturing me...what did I ever do to you?". It kinda broke my heart. Then he wouldn't eat his breakfast. Oh, it was sad. I tried not to get too teary eyed.

I have decided that I'm going to like Jet, no matter how much I get made fun of.

Song of the day: "Turn My Blue Sky Black" - Mooney Suzuki.

I saw "Sylvia" this weekend. It was excellent, but I can't think that anyone who isn't a Plath-head would really enjoy it. But all in all, quite good, and right on the mark as far as acccuracy goes.

I finally broke down last week and went to the doctor and got sleeping pills for my tiny insomnia problem. Please do not make any hasty judgements with this news and the previous paragraph's subject matter. And oh, how they lull me to dreamland! It's like floating on a warm cloud into blissful peacefulness. Every once in a while, I get out the bottle and look at it with pure gratitude. I'm on my way to having a persciption drug problem. Way to go me.

My father, looking very friendly and professional.

Today is my dad's birthday. He was born three days before the attack at Pearl Harbor. I love to give him crap about that. I normally abhor silly family posts, but my father is one of the finest people I've ever known, and I respect him very much. Tomorrow night I'm taking him out for thai food and good discussion. Happy birthday Dad!

I am quite guilty of having indie rock boy crushes. Yeah, I know it's kinda silly, but I do just the same. Although I have been crushing pretty hard on Jason McCann as of late, John Vanderslice will always hold a special place in my heart. I've been in love with him ever since I mistook him for a girlfriend from high school back at a Sunny Day show in 1997. He and I've got, like, history, you know? Anyway, he has a new album out January 20, titled "Cellar Door". Yes, it's a Donnie Darko reference. Yeah, that's official. I asked him and all. So order it on Barsuk, then sit tight and wait for him to visit a venue near you!

Song of the day: "Me and My 424" - John Vanderslice.

Just when I thought progress was being made...

Boy Punished for Talking About Gay Mom

LAFAYETTE, La. - A 7-year-old boy was scolded and forced to write "I will never use the word `gay' in school again" after he told a classmate about his lesbian mother, the American Civil Liberties Union alleged Monday.

Second-grader Marcus McLaurin was waiting for recess Nov. 11 at Ernest Gaullet Elementary School when a classmate asked about Marcus' mother and father, the ACLU said in a complaint.

Marcus responded he had two mothers because his mother is gay. When the other child asked for explanation, Marcus told him: "Gay is when a girl likes another girl," according to the complaint.

A teacher who heard the remark scolded Marcus, telling him "gay" was a "bad word" and sending him to the principal's office. The following week, Marcus had to come to school early and repeatedly write: "I will never use the word `gay' in school again."

A phone message left for Lafayette Parish schools superintendent James Easton was not immediately returned.

The ACLU is demanding the case be removed from Marcus' file and that the school apologize to the boy and his mother, Sharon Huff.

"I was concerned when the assistant principal called and told me my son had said a word so bad that he didn't want to repeat it over the phone," Huff said. "But that was nothing compared to the shock I felt when my little boy came home and told me that his teacher had told him his family is a dirty word."

There's probably nothing funnier than two college educated liberal white people in their late 20's sitting in their computer room smoking, drinking soda and singing along to "Straight Outta Compton" at 9:45 am.

"You think I give a damn about a bitch...?"

I'm just sayin's all...

Well, it's official. I'm getting old. Case in point:

* I have no patience with the new Triumph the Insult Dog video. It's just tasteless.

* I bought "O" by Damien Rice this weekend. Oh, it's so m e l l o w.


Oh, what a looker!

* I actually uttered these words this weekend: "You know, I should really be buying furniture and contributing to a Roth IRA rather than buying DVDs, albums and books all the time...".

* I frequently lecture my little sisters on the dangers of "living in the moment" (if you catch my drift).

* I get totally excited about going to concerts, then when it comes down to getting tickets the night of the show, I'm too tired and would rather sit at home with a book and mug of cider.

* I take my job way to seriously. Most of my conversations revolve around work. I've become that person.

* I get excited about sales at grocery stores, carpet cleaning and buying seasonal wreaths for the front door.

* I go to bed before midnight every night.

It's a sick sad world kiddies.

Song of the day: "Volcano" - Damien Rice.

This really isn't funny, except for the fact that it is...

"Paramedics called to the store found VanLester unconscious on top of a DVD player, surrounded by shoppers seemingly oblivious to her, said Mark O'Keefe, a spokesman for EVAC Ambulance."

I've always thought I've wanted to have a child. The desire was fairly strong, but compared to what it's been most recently, it was nothing. It's actually a full-on biological craving now, hardly hindered by rational thoughts that keep me popping my birth control pills. I guess my clock is ticking, which is a little premature to say because I'm only 26. Not only would having a child be really stupid for me now, but I'm not even sure medically I can. Does that make a difference to the "make a baby" hormones? Oh no. They flood my brain, rendering me into a primal wishful-breeding-thinking state at every diaper ad on TV, every rack of infant clothing at the store, and especially every time I see a child in public. And in Lawrence, that's quite a bit. I swear all people in Lawrence do is drink lattes and have babies. They're everywhere. Well, maybe not everywhere, it just seems that way. See what these hormones will do to you?

Song of the day: "Eat for Two" - 10,000 Maniacs.

Today's problem: I actually need to go out and shop. For like Kleenex and conditioner and daily run of the mill stuff. Dare I brave Target? No way. I'll just sit at home and hope the Household Goods Fairy drops by.

Yesterday was a great day for the right wing. Dubya dropped by Iraq to visit our brave men and women in uniform, doing so with an arrogance that can only come from knowing he didn't have to stay. Then there was the Dallas Cowboys halftime show, where Toby Keith and the Salvation Army proved that it doesn't have to be 1930's Germany to whip the country into a foaming-at-the-mouth patriotic Orwellian state.

"They could be made to accept the most flagrant violations of reality, because they never fully grasped the enormity of what was demanded of them, and were not sufficiently interested in public events to notice what was happening." - George Orwell, 1984.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

I live in a perfectly nice part of Lawrence. It's a newer area, in the northwest part of town. My neighbors are all college students, families, and five other Family Teaching Model Homes (what we do). But about a month ago, I found out there was a meth lab down the street. How did I find this out? Well, I was sitting in the living room on the clients side of the duplex and saw a guy running like a bat out of hell, followed by two policeman with revolvers drawn. I went outside and saw seven police cars, and about ten people all running around chasing each other. This went on for an hour or so. I got me really nervous, because this was happening around 3:30 pm, which is about time all the CLO clients get home from work (about 20 live on this street). It's really not a good idea to have developmentally disabled people around criminals, police car sirens, and guns.

This all happened again yesterday, only this time it started at the Ramada Inn (about a mile away), and of course, ended up on our street (the irony in this situation is our street is a cul-de-sac). This time I noticed because the chase was going on through the backyard. I watched the local news last night, and evidently the police never apprehended the suspect. He's still at large. I'll let you draw your own conclusions about our fine public safety department. I realize that for some of my readers, this is normal for your neighborhoods, but this offends my lily white sense of suburban security.

Song of the day: "In the Ghetto" - Elvis Presley.

Everyone's favorite non-Average Joe, Mac Tonnies, has been unwittingly thrust into popular culture. I'd watch the show to see if his clip gets aired, but I have no concept of when it's on or on what channel.

I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately. It takes me a long time to actually fall asleep, and then when I finally do, it seems I wake up every half hour or so. I keep a painfully regular sleeping schedule, and I depend on being well rested to handle my job, and this has really disrupted things for me. When I do get a few hours to squeeze in a nap, I'm plagued with thoughts of other things I could be doing. I spend most of my days in a weird fog - losing track of time, staring off into space for (it seems) minutes on end, crying at the drop of a hat over things like...oh, misplacing my keys or being unable to get knots out of shoelaces. And while I would think this would hinder my ability to function, it's not. I whip through stuff at work like I'm on speed - not only doing the regular routine, but spending additional time finding extra stuff to do to. I've lost patience with politeness at management meetings, and lately have no issue telling consultants and administrators where they can stick their "helpful advice". I'm afraid to drive - thinking I'll blank out and run a stop sign. Those close to me are predicting a nervous breakdown by Christmas. I counter that with the fact that my job doesn't afford me the luxury of the middle class flu.

Man, the holidays can be a real drag.

Song of the day: "Sunday" - MK Ultra ("...please understand being down don't give me no pleasure...")

Why not just call the Turkey "Liberty" and then slaughter it? It's more fitting after all...


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Stars the turkey may have pushed his luck by gobbling throughout a Rose Garden ceremony on Monday but President Bush (news - web sites) just the same gave him a presidential pardon from being served for Thanksgiving dinner.

In a contest to name the national Thanksgiving turkey, conducted on the White House Web site, Stars, and the alternate national bird, Stripes, won out over Pumpkin and Cranberry. "It was a neck-to-neck race," said Bush.

Other names that gained votes were Hope and Glory, Harvest and Bounty, Plymouth and Mayflower, and Lewis and Clark.

"The rule book states that an alternate turkey is chosen in case the national Thanksgiving turkey cannot fulfill his role in this ceremony. It's kind of like being the vice president," Bush said.

In the Rose Garden, Stars punctuated nearly every sentence of the president's with a comment of his own as dozens of schoolchildren giggled, prompting Bush to remark: "Sounds like Stars wants to give the speech."

It was the 56th consecutive year the pardoning ceremony was held in the Rose Garden. The bird, supplied by the National Turkey Federation, was picked from among a group of 40 birds hatched on July 10 in a turkey barn in the Carthage, Missouri area.

Rather than being eaten on Thursday, like millions of other turkeys, Stars will live out the rest of its days at Frying Pan Park in nearby Herndon, Virginia.

Turning serious, Bush thanked U.S. forces serving in Iraq (news - web sites) and elsewhere around the world.

"We're thinking of them and their families. We think of the military families that have suffered loss," he said.

****

Do I also have to mention that he's making a mockery of death penalty pardons? What an asshole.

Song of the day: "Stick the Fucking Flag Up Your Ass" - Propaghandi