He just won't quit!

Oh for fuck's
sake.

Mailing from Rep. Lindner upsets black colleague
Published April 2, 2003 LBRF02

Rep. Neva Walker, a black DFLer from Minneapolis, said she was taken aback
when she received a letter recently from the lawyer of Rep. Arlon Lindner,
R-Corcoran, that was addressed to her as Walker-Black.

Lindner is the subject of an ethics complaint by House DFLers who found
comments he made recently as offensive to gays and blacks.

Walker said Tuesday night, "I do believe it was an accident and somebody
forgot to erase it. . . . I am an elected official and I deserve respect,
and that misprint is a lack of respect."

James Anderson, Lindner's lawyer, said he apologized to Walker for getting
her name wrong and said it was a "simple mistake."

"I can tell you that the person typing the letter apparently looked at the
file and put the words together wrong," he said.


Why was the word there to begin with?


"Basically, it's a tempest in a teapot," he said, adding that "some
people are just hypersensitive if from a simple mistake they can call
someone a racist."


We're hypersensitive because you're a racist bitch.


Walker said, "It's easy to say that when you're not on the receiving of a
racist comment, but racist attacks are emotionally and mentally draining.
And I am far from sensitive. It takes a lot to offend me. . . . Folks who
are so focused on this issue don't realize that there is a pattern with this
particular representative."

Lindner has questioned whether gays and lesbians were persecuted in the Nazi
Holocaust and suggested that his bill to strip gays and lesbians of human
rights protections would combat AIDS and keep the United States from
becoming "another African continent."

A hearing on the merits of the ethics complaint is scheduled for next
week.


This man is like a wind-up toy! He just keeps going and going. Eventually
I think he'll reach a point where the only things that leave his mouth are
strings of racial and homophobic slurs. Then we can all laugh. Until
then....

Hmm.

It's 3:00. I'm crashing again. I had another blog entry this morning but since I changed the publish time in Blogger it seems to be lost. This has happened before, and the entry usually shows up again in a day or so. It's weird, though. It's like it has gone into some kind of blog entry purgatory.

This is the best I can come up with at 3:00 PM.

One of those subjects.

They are trying to pass legislation that would mandate a 24 hour waiting period before a woman would be able to get an abortion. I could go either way on this subject.

On one hand I think it's redundant. The woman would receive information on things like how much medical care she would receive from the state if she decided not to get an abortion, adoption options, and medical facts. Do they honestly think that the woman in question making such a huge, life-altering decision didn't know all that already?

It also implicitly questions the woman's ability to make her own decisions. We're modern women and we don't need our hands held. We don't wander around fainting and swooning and not working and not voting and not holding prominent positions in our public, personal, and professional lives.

On the other hand it subdues the rabid pro-lifers. 24 hours probably isn't going to change many minds, so what does it matter? While it may shut up the pro-life nazis for a little while, it might also give them ammunition for future attempts to remove a woman's right to choose and reversing the progress that Roe vs. Wade made. I don't know. I guess now that I think about it I don't believe any politician, or anyone else for that matter, needs to be making any kind of decisions about my right to choose at all. When it comes right down to it the decision about an abortion rests on the shoulders of the woman carrying the child. Yes, the father of the baby should be able to make a case to the mother, but it is the mother's choice to either have or not have the baby. Period.

So what about the women who use abortion as a sort of birth control? I don't believe they should get any sort of public medical assistance to fund the abortions. If she has more than one abortion for any reason other than the health of the child, the health of the mother, or rape, she better be paying for it her damn self. And if she can afford several abortions, she can damn sure afford condoms or The Pill, The Patch, or The Shot -- so get the woman some counseling.

To all you pro-life fucks, I leave you with this:

Would you wave your signs and bang your Bibles at a woman who had just been gang-raped and impregnated?

Tuesday morning

Urrrgh. The day has started off slow. I watched Space Ghost this morning. How utterly horrible. I think they had a team of three retarded chimpanzees doing the animation on that show. Was that a Hanna Barbara abomination?

The Wild shut out the Flames last night, which really pissed them off. Heh-heh.

I tried to rollerblade around Calhoun when I got home from work last night. I got about a quarter of the way around and got really dizzy. I had to sit down for a while, then go back to my car the wrong way down the one-way bike path. A couple of guys started to give me dirty looks but stopped when they saw what a wreck I was. I must be getting sick because I made it all the way around that lake last week (with a couple of rest breaks, of course.) I honestly felt like I was going to pass out last night. I guess I'll be walking instead of rollerblading for the next week or so. Or maybe I'll just stick to yoga for a while. The problem with that is that I want to be outside as much as possible now that it's getting nice out there. It's supposed to be 60 degrees out there today and the rest of the week it'll be in the 40s so I better enjoy it while it's here.

Apples

Ate too much today. I went to Super Target this morning and bought light yogurt and a couple of Lean Cuisines. I ate my frozen LC enchilada, then my manager comes by and asks me if I want D'Amico leftovers. Well, yeah, of course I do. So all in all I had an enchilada, Mexican rice, pasta salad, and a large roast beef sandwich for lunch today. I feel bloated now.

I've only got one hour to go. I hate how I absolutely crash at 3:00. My brain shuts down completely and I feel like I'm melting into my chair. There's never any coffee left over by this time of day, either. If there is, it's got that funky bottom-of-the-pot burnt coffee taste.

Going to go hunt down some caffeine now.

Recap

Worked all day Saturday. I didn't get to go to the Gophers hockey game because it was a 4:00 game rather than a 7:00 game, so I stayed at work an hour longer. Sunday was the first day in a long time where I have been able to sleep in. I get next weekend off, which is great for my sanity but bad for my bills. Yesterday Dan's mom took us and Dan's sister out to dinner at Famous Dave's. Yay! I wonder why Dan's mom doesn't buy a house in Uptown. She seems to really like it there.

I'm not sure what Dan and I are going to do when our lease is up in June. We're not getting kicked out or anything, but we have to make a decision on whether we want to stay there or move again. I'd do just about anything for a better kitchen, but moving really sucks. We'd really like to buy a town home but neither of us have good enough credit, I think. And I know for damn sure I'm not asking my dad to co-sign on anything.

We have cable TV now. It's evil and wonderful. It's going to be tough making myself get up and go rollerblading instead of sitting on my ass watching Trading Spaces all day. BUT we get to watch the NHL playoffs in their entirety this year. And Twins games. Yay!

I noticed with some satisfaction today that I am not the only non-white person in this office. From what I've seen so far, it's just me and this one other older Asian lady. The rest of the office is overwhelmingly white females. I've never worked someplace that was overwhelmingly female before. It's always been either equally divided or a sausage fest.

Gayatri Mantra

Om bhoor bhuwah swaha
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasaya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo naha prachodayat

"May you guide our intellect in the right direction."

There's a couple of mottoes I try to live by. The above is the Gayatri Mantra. The other motto I heard on some extreme sports show about ten years ago: "Pain is temporary, glory is forever." I actually saw that on a bumper sticker this morning.

Tangent: I saw the greatest license plate frame a few weeks ago. It said, "Cut your hair."

How it is.

I have refrained thus far from blogging about the war. Mostly I've been in a state of shock and denial about the whole thing. I oppose the war on a very grand and abstract level. I am a pacifist because I believe that in order for the human race to evolve we need to start using our minds to solve problems, not fists and missiles. This war is unbelievable depressing to me. Depressing and distressing beyond words. We are living in an age where we can cure previously fatal diseases, fly across oceans and among the stars, and communicate with nearly anyone anywhere about anything by pushing a few buttons. And yet we are fighting a war because, like that fat, smelly kid in a kindergarten class, people can't share.

I truly believe that the world has gone insane. People are using women and children and human shields. We all live in fear because some idiot who doesn't really understand the concepts of life and respect could wipe out an entire city with a few microbes. People are being tortured and killed because they were following orders.

Governments are singing "This Land is My Land, This Land is My Land Too." This land, this oil, this food, this medicine, these peoples' lives.

Don't get me wrong. I support the troops. Of course I support the troops. Every anti-war protestor supports the troops. I implore each and every one of you mindless, flag-wearing militant pro-war zombies to stop and ask that protestor whether or not they support the troops before you spit in her face.

I oppose war because I value life. Imagine you were a soldier. Imagine that it came down to a one-on-one showdown between you and an Iraqi soldier. You both grit your teeth and raise your bayonets (or whatever) and get ready to do what your president says you should do and suddenly an idea strikes both of you at the same time. You think of your family. You think of how much you love them. You think of that sandwich you just ate that tasted like sand and remember laughing with your army buddies about it. You think about hugging your children before boarding the plane to Iraq. You think about how much you swore when you pounded your thumb with a hammer while fixing your kitchen cabinets last summer. You think about your daughter's first steps. You think about falling off your bike when you were eight years old and how your best friend brought it home for you later. You think about sharing a popsicle with your grandfather on a hot summer day when you were five. You think about how proud your parents were the first time you went to the bathroom all by yourself.

Suddenly you are in the mind of the other soldier pointing the weapon at your head. You see that soldier kissing his mother and brother before leaving home to fight the Americans. You see that soldier's eighteenth birthday celebration. You see that soldier's best friend sharing food with him and laughing about a TV show last year. You see that soldier's first drink. You see that soldier holding his nephew for the first time. You see that soldier's parents beaming with pride at his fifth birthday. You see that soldier's best friend sticking up for him at age four. You see that solder's life and experiences and joys and pains.

You realize that that soldier is alive, just like you. You realize that the soldier has friends and family and a life just like you. And that soldier sees the same thing in you.

Could you kill him?

Whaaaaaat's happening, Peter.

Got Office Space on the brain today. It's been snowing since yesterday afternoon and frankly it's got me in a shitty mood. I totally meant to go to see Jason at the MOA on Wednesday about the Ebay stuff I'm doing for him and I just remembered it this morning at 8:00. Whoops. Oh well, it's notlike I'm not working with him all day tomorrow.

What else, what else. We got cable. We're going to keep it for the three months that we get a reduced rate so we can see the NHL playoffs. We're sneaky like that. Now I fear the TV because I was planning on getting on the Gazelle and actually exercising but I got sucked in by the Cartoon Network, TLC, Discovery Channel, and the National Geographic Channel. I watched so much TV I actually had a headache when I went to bed. I shouldn't feel bad about vegging out, though. I'm having my period and I'm all crampy and cranky. I think they need to make a super industrial overnight tampon for me personally so I don't have to get up at 5:00 AM to take care of business. Maybe someone should market a menstruation catheter.

Anyway...

AAAAAAAAAA CREEPY

That super creepy freak-out Twilight Zone was on tonight. The gated community one. With the trees. AAAAAAAUGH!

It scares me like nothing else.

The table is Formica. Bored is its color.

I have a hankerin' to watch me some Twin Peaks.

I also have this burning desire to get some exercise and I'm not sure it'swarm enough by Lake Calhoun to go rollerblading yet. I think it would be easier if Dan was more inclined to take walks "with no purpose." I'd rather walk around for a while before jumping straight into rollerblading around a three-mile path. I know that Heidi would walk with me but she has such an erratic work schedule and I don't know her phone number anyway.

I'm really excited and a little scared. I got a voicemail from a major national teen magazine publisher in LA saying that they were interested in featuring some stuff I've got at Zen Body Art. When I say major publisher, I mean frickin' huge. I called the lady back this morning and had to leave a message. Haven't heard back. Argh. It's adding to my building ulcer.

All the news that matters

Super-interesting article about abandoning the "White Woman's Burden" in regards to Arab women.

Morons.

More reasons to drink Grain Belt.

Live in the Twin Cities? No monkey for you.

Wine in a can?

What the...

I was just passing through the lobby and I swear I just heard two professionally-minded working women discussing something about a "fuzzy clam."

I wouldn't say I've been missing it.

I'm much more awake today. I didn't have to rely on coffee this morning to get anything started. It's nice to wake up and see sunlight, even if it's deceptively cold out today. My alarm starts going off at 7:00 and I hit snooze until 7:30 or so. I really don't need to get up that early unless I shower in the morning, but I guess I just don't like to feel rushed first thing in the morning. The drive to work took a little longer this morning and it felt weird not getting here at least ten minutes early. I'm freakishly compulsive like that. I have to be early for everything, no matter what. If I'm even remotely late I get all flustered and the rest of my day is screwed. I'm not sure why I'm that way.

I'm also a freak about getting separated from the person or group I'm with. I have this horrible fear of abandonment. Then I start to worry if I'm being clingy. It's frustrating and I'm sure I act very unnatural in public situations. Add that with the fact that I can't stand large, slow-moving crowds and I'm a big freaking mess.

You know that part in Office Space where he's talking to the Bobs and says that when he gets to work he does nothing and just stares at his desk for about an hour? I'm going to have to learn how to do that. I'm doing a lot of running from desk to desk and asking, "Do you have anything for me?" I don't have a lot of stuff at my desk so there's only so much rearranging I can do. I want to work, but I'm not good at looking busy when there's nothing to do. The other problem is that the "phone lady" is on vacation until last week. There's a bunch of stuff that I could be doing, but require a phone at my desk.

More Monday

Sitting here. Staring. The group I'm working in is actually very, very busy, but the business factor is directly related to Other People's Schedules. Other People need to call back. Or fax something back. Or mail something back. So I sit and wait. I'm willing to bet that by Wednesday I'll be swamped but as for right now I'm completely bored. Boredom leads to self-inspection, and I just found a chin hair that needs to go away RIGHT NOW. Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Monday Morning

I hate being the new girl. I bumble around not really knowing what's going on or what to do, smiling and nodding and trying to portray this professional thing. I just hope I don't have bags under my eyes because I haven't been sleeping very well, or at least it hasn't felt like I've been sleeping very well. I think I just need to get some more Sominex and zonk out at 8:00 to catch up.

I like where my desk is because I can at least see the windows. At my last job I was working in the offices of a warehouse with zero windows on my side of the building. It was hellish. I had to bring in a full-spectrum light to keep from going insane. My cube looks so empty and I'm a little afraid to personalize it very much on my third day. If I get transferred to a new assignment or they don't like me or something I'd feel pretty stupid packing up a bunch of crap and leaving. I brought my little Vivi (FF9) stuffie and a little vinyl diorama of Zidane and Vivi. I've also tacked up my Margaret Cho ticket stub and the newspaper ad that goes with it. I think I'm going to put last night's Wild game ticket stub and my program with Richard Park up on the wall too.

Oh yeah. Did I mention I went to the Wild-Redwings game last night? Did you know that Minnesota kicked serious ass? Did you know that the Redwings went crawling back to Detroit after being shut out by a team they thought they didn't have to take seriously? BWA HA HA. Awww. Poor Federov. Poor Shannahan. Go home, losers. We in the playoffs now.

I remember a time when age 25 actually seemed old. Now that I'm so close, it's weird. The office I'm working in is filled with early-twenty-somethings and I'm left wondering if the workforce has gotten younger or if I've gotten older. When I was 18 I would look at someone who was, say, 23 and think that that person must have done so many things and had so many experiences. I used to think that I'd never make it this far. Now I'm screaming headlong into life and it's...

Weird.

Two days down

I'm starting to actually do stuff at work now. The software is easy enough. I've already found a few shortcuts to make life easier. I forgot how hard it is to type when someone is watching you. I really, really, really hope this temp job turns into a permanent position. The workplace is unbelievably cool. Not trendoid dot-com Nerf basketball hoops and throw pillows cool, but there is a sombrero in the coat closet. And any company with a selection of six different coffees at all times is good with me. I'm worried about gaining weight working there, though. There were twelve boxes of Krispy Kremes, one pan of cake, and a large tray of cookies and biscotti in the break room before 12:00. And something hot dish-y for lunch for anyone who was interested.

Oh, and there's the "store." It's a supply cabinet stuffed with candy and cookies for a few cents each.

Mood:
Listening to: Vertical Horizon - You're A God

She shat her pants

Dan's birthday present to me was tickets to see Margaret Cho. The show was last night. I almost pissed myself. LOVE HER!

Mood:

I was hoping for Donna

You are Sheriff Harry S. Truman.

You're efficient, dedicated and loyal, which makes
you the perfect small-town sheriff. And where
other men might have been threated by the FBI's
involvement in the case, you accepted Agent
Cooper right from the start, in the best
interest of solving the mystery. All in all,
you're a damned good guy.


Which Twin Peaks Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I won Final Fantasy X last night.

Saddest. Game. Ever.

Had my first day in the land of real estate. I don't think that I'm in over my head, but it's all very overwhelming for a first day. There's going to be a lot of memorization and cheat sheets going on. But I got a cube of my own, and computer of my own, and a bunch of office supplies. And a Swingline stapler. Keep away.

Mood:
Listening to: Something by Kenny Rogers (Dan's)

New plans

I start working for a completely different company tomorrow. I have to try and pull off a "business professional" look. No lip ring for me. Oh well.

ARRRGH

I haven't had access to my comments in three or four days now. How fucking long does it take to do server maintenence?

Mood:

Who's your homie?

Okay, so I'm blasphemous.

Sooooo....

It's been an interesting weekend.

Saturday I had the girls over. We were originally planning on eating at a Korean restaurant, meeting everyone at our place, and going bowling or something but we ended up running late, grabbing ribs to go, and hanging out on the porch. Sunday we met my parents at Old Chicago and had a few drinks, then we had pasta with Dan's mom and sister. Monday Dan got out of work early because of the power failures going on all over the place so we went to the St. Paul St. Patrick's Day parade. We went home and cooked way to much food and had dinner with Kris. There were Irish car bombs involved. And Guinness. And Murphey's. And Killians. But I think I had pretty much been prepping all weekend so I didn't get much more than slightly buzzed. Which is okay.

The temp agency guy finally found me a job. I start Monday. WHOOO HOOOO!

I have a plan. I'm going to continue to work weekends at the MOA. Those paychecks will be split and paid to my credit cards. I need to stick with that. Really. Seriously.

Mood:
Listening to: Edwin McCain - I'll Be

Yay!

MN Wild beat Dallas Stars 4-2, yo.

My friend Lauren and I are going to be po' girls at the Nashville game tomorrow. Whoo hoo! After that the Wild play Chicago. Eep. But hey, we beat Dallas! Whoo! I wish I had a flask to bring tomorrow.

Mood:

Today

I have screwed up my whole day. I thought for sure that I was working open - 3:00 today. So I get up at 7 AM, shower, scrape my car, and drive in shitty traffic to the MOA. I punch in. I start to open. I unlock the drawer with the starting cash. I see the schedule. I check to see who I'm working with. I see that I am working 3:00 - close. Shit.

I punch out. I lock up. I leave with my tail between my legs.

Who's got my helmet?

Ahem. Anyway, so I'm all paranoid now. Did I read the schedule wrong? Did I write the rest of the schedule down correctly? What if I was supposed to open? I haven't gotten an angry phone call yet, so I think I'm okay.

Called the staffing agency again today to see what's up. I'm interviewing for something that starts in April on Monday. In the mean time I have to wait until new jobs open for next week. Hopefully I'll know by Friday if I'm working next week. I should call the other temp service just in case.

I'm sick of being broke. I don't know how I'm going to pay my bills this month. I don't know what to do.

Mood: worried
Listening to: Vertical Horizon - You Say

Tar and feathers

HATES BUDDHISTS

"AS A CHRISTIAN, I am offended that we would have the Dalai Lama come and speak to a joint meeting of our Minnesota Legislature. He claims to be a god-king, a leader of the Buddha religion, which historically has been considered a cult because of its anti-Biblical teachings concerning the one true Holy God, Creator of Heaven and earth and His Son, Jesus Christ." -Arlon Linder, May 1, 2001

This was just the first of the string of nonsense and filth that has spewed forth from this man's twisted brain.

"They don't believe that there is one god," he said. "They don't believe Christ is God." He said they don't believe in God as creator of the world. "They believe in evolution and reincarnation," he said. "That is not Christian." -Arlon Linder

Somebody give this man a cookie. He figured out that Buddhism isn't Christianity!

HATES JEWS

"In discussing a proposed rule change, permitting denominational prayer before House sessions, Lindner told St. Paul DFLer Michael Paymar, who is Jewish, that if Paymar objected to a sectarian Christian prayer in the House chamber, Paymar could leave. 'Don't impose your irreligious left views on me,' Lindner said." -Legal Ledger

Oh. My. Gods.

HATES HOMOSEXUALS

"In some of the schools, we've got children as young as three, in pre-school, on up through the years that are being taught homosexual practices. And it doesn't mean they're going to be homosexual, but unfortunately they hear about some of the sexual activities of the homosexual, and they're being told that it's safe and so forth and healthy, and it isn't." -Arlon Lindner

To add a little more context to this gem, Lindner alleges that children are being taught that things like oral sex, fisting, and barebacking are forms of safe sex. First of all, if there are really teachers professing these things to be true, they need to be fired immediately because they are clearly idiots. Second, I remember being taught in a candid discussion in high school sex ed that there were more ways to have sex than penis-vagina penetration. And I was taught what was safe and what wasn't. If you're going to penetrate, use a condom. If you're going to have oral sex, use a condom or dental dam. Anything else could put you at risk. Period. If there was any discussion about fisiting, coprophila, foot fetishes, or any other kind of fetish, it was done outside of the classroom with no teachers present. If kids are hearing about these things, it's from the mouths of other kids. Lindner also seems to think that sex in a gay relationship always involves fisting and barebacking and multiple partners and so forth, which is laughable. Apparently homosexuals are unable to have committed, safe relationships. Or so he thinks.

"I don't hate any of those people. I know they accuse me of hating and wanting all kind of terrible things to happen to them, but I don't hate any of them. I do love them. Actually this would benefit them if they were to leave that lifestyle or if they would maybe be more faithful to one partner, if it's got to be that way. But it's my understanding that gays have hundreds and even thousands of partners over a lifetime." -Arlon Lindner

Right. We could just one day wake up and decide to stop being GLBT, because being GLBT is 100% a free-will choice. Uh huh. And hundreds or thousands of partners over a lifetime? Where the fuck is this guy getting this from?

Who voted for this bigot? Aren't you people ashamed and embarrassed?

Mood:

Five days

until my birthday. Yay me.

On my turf

I'm back. I may have a new name, but I've got the kiwi head again. Angel Gambler lives on.

Mood: nostalgic

Okay, what the fuck?

Some more search terms that have led people here:

few pubes
orgasmic beaver

Fun Search of the Day:

girl masterbating with a lobster

Nice to see you too.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT

No way. I thought it had died.

You see, years ago on the old Compuserve I beta tested quite a bit of software, the most notable being something called "WorldsAway." It was one of the first in a relatively new form of entertainment called avatar-based chat. ABC has been around since the Commodore 64 days (WorldsAway was based off one such C64 program), but technology had just begun to finally catch up to the software. Those new 14.4 modems were all the rage back in '95.

Anyway, I moved on with my life and Compuserve was bought by AOL and, well, died. During my WA days I met many, many wonderful people in the small, tight-knit community. I even sort of had a sort of Internet fling with a Swedish man. I wonder where Shaker is these days.

The WorldsAway website eventually disappeared and I figured it wasn't profitable enough to keep going. Now just a few minutes ago I was reading in some random blog about something that mentioned tokens and avatars and it sounded VERY familiar. There was a link to "VZones." I clicked it and HOLY SHIT. There it is. Dreamscape. Kymer. Kymer!

I wonder if some of the same people are there after all this time.

Mood: nostalgic

Thinking Ahead

When my Blogger Pro membership runs out I've decided to switch my blogging system over to Greymatter. I've started testing things here. If you'd like to do me a big favor, head on over there and play with the karma voting and comments. Go nuts. I'd appreciate it.

Mood:
Listening to: Megumi Hayashibara - Don't Be Discouraged

True Love

You know you're in a true love situation when you and your SO can have a 30 minute conversation about poop. Not just anyone's poop. Each other's poop.

Mood:
Listening to: Pink - Misery

Just a reminder

To all you Minnesota folks out there, GLBT Lobby Day is this Thursday, March 6 at 1:00 in the Rotunda at the state capitol. Head on over to Outfront.org and register! Or just take an hour out of your day to attend the rally. Senator Michael Jungbauer intruduced SF545 to the Senate, a bill identical to HF 341.

What it boils down to is that what these people want is total discrimination against people who love others of the same sex. GLBT people could be refused service at stores and restaurants. Violence against a GLBT person wouldn't be considered a hate crime. The state of Minnesota would implicitly endorce the mass killings of GLBT people by the Nazi regime.

Write, call, or email your legislators. Come to Lobby Day. Tell your friends and family to stand up for what is right. Discrimination in any form is evil and wrong.

Tired

I tossed and turned for about three hours last night and finally decided that fuck it, I'm going to stay up all night. So I did. And I accomplished nothing. In an hour I will be at a staffing agency for a three hour ordeal. I ran out of paper for my printer so I can't print out my resume. I have to go in there with a post-it bearing the web address of my resume so they can print it out themselves. How professional. When that is all over I'm going to come home and (hopefully) sleep. I really wish I could go back to bed right now.

Mood:

Exit only

I have long said that I'm going to get a tattoo on my ass that says "exit only."

I am not the first one with this idea. Yes, I know that George Carlin suggested this in Brain Droppings. I came up with the idea on my own several years ago.

Another person that needs to marry me

"How to Shop in a Music/Video Store Without Being a Shitfuck."

Sums up my day nicely.

Randomness from the Topics Blog (defunct)

What is the one thing someone could do that would drive you to madness?
Strap me to a chair in front of a bookcase containing a set of encyclopedias. Slowly start rearranging the books until they are completely out of order.

Describe your most electrifying concert experience.
(Geek alert) My dad took me to see Andreas Vollenweider when I was... I dunno, 13 or 14. I had never seen him live before, and was completely blown away by the show. If you've ever heard his CDs, they're NOTHING like a live show. There were vocalists, guest instrumentalists, crazy lighting, the works. And there was little afro-ed Andreas banging away on this electric harp and making it make sounds I didn't know were possible. Absolutely amazing.

Should the government be allowed to grant itself powers to snoop on its citizens for a good reason, just because we're in a war? Should it have to rescind these powers as soon as the conflict is over?
No, no, no, no, no. I know that privacy is a fractured myth, but I like to at least pretend that the government doesn't know everything about who I am and what I do.

Do you feel like your sexual self is separate from the rest of you, or that it blends in with the rest? Would people be shocked or amazed to hear about the things you do or think? Do you feel like, in certain situations or with certain people, you are sexless and without gender?
I'm not really sure. I guess I tend to keep that sort of thing to myself until I'm actually engaged in sex (then it's time to get nutty), but I've been known to let some things slip. Being a Pisces makes it hard to forget that I am a sexual being. I'd say that I think about sex or something related to sex several times an hour. Except when I'm around my family. *shudder*

If you were a photographer, what would you take pictures of? Would you gravitate towards self-portraits, landscapes, concerts, movie stars, babies, animals...? If you are a photographer, what do you take pictures of?
I'd try to take pictures of things that could bring peace. Zen stuff. A leaf floating in a pond. A crow sitting on a fence with an endless field in the backdrop. Blue blue skies contrasting with white white snow.

Do you think it's ever justifiable to be rude or snotty to an employee stuck behind a counter, being paid nothing but minimum wage to take your shit with a smile? If you're in a hurry, is this their fault? Does it give you the right to glare at them, roll your eyes, and use an off tone of voice? Ever? If they are foreign and their English isn't so good, does this have any impact on whether or not you feel they have the right to be treated like a human being? How does it make you feel when the person you're with is the one treating an employee like a lesser person? How do you compensate for it? Do you tell them to stop it or do you try to set an example?
It's NEVER justafiable to be rude to a retail/foodservice/hospitality employee unless they are rude to you first. Ever. Anyone who doesn't feel this way has never worked retail/foodservice/hospitality a day in their lives. If I'm with someone who's being an ass to the employee I try to take control of the conversation and steer it in a better direction.

Do you ever purposely rebel against the societal gender stereotypes? Is it an important issue in your life? i.e. If you are a girl, are you disgusted with the idea of acting "girly"? Do you have a hard time balancing out what's expected of you, what you want/are, and what you feel compelled to do just to destroy the idea that something should or should not be a certain way?
I don't go out of my way to do this, it just seems to be the way I am. However, I'm equally comfortable in a dress and fishnets or a beer-soaked hockey jersey and faded jeans. I try to ignore what's expected of me by others and focus more on what I expect of myself. I'm much harder on myself than anyone could be. I am what I am. That's all I can ever be.

How would you feel if your parents were reading your website? How would you react?
Just kill me now. No, just kidding. For all I know they are reading this. My brother and sister-in-law too. I'd prefer that they weren't, but I wouldn't care too much if they were. I just hope that they'd either completely ignore any reference to sex or stop reading altogether after happening upon a post of that nature. It wouldn't be so bad if they read the other stuff because I can't talk to them. I've never been able to. It would be weird to start now.

describe your dream house/apartment/condo (whatever).
A mid-sized house in St. Paul with a yard and porch. And hardwood floors and trim. A built-in buffet. New semi-professional kitchen, huge master bathroom. Hot tub in back. No insects. An established flower garden and koi pond.

be honest. do you ever neglect to wash your hands after using the restroom?
All the time. And if anyone confronted me on it in a public bathroom I'd laugh at them. What are they doing that necessitates sterilization? Are they peeing on their hands? Masterbating in the stall? Wringing out their feminine sanitary items?

Humbled

I was driving home tonight and I ended up behind a guy who suddenly dropped speed for no reason. He tapped his brakes several times like I was tailgating him or something, which I wasn't even close to doing. So I got pissed and started following him just out of tailgating distance. He tapped his brakes again. I got angrier. I kept following. He wouldn't let me pass. Really pissed off now.

I was fuming about it for a while and thinking about following him home and scaring the piss out of him, but then something in my head sort of snapped. "It's not worth it." My Buddhist influences kicked in. I sent some positive thoughts toward the guy and continued on home.

Imagine how stupid I felt when I discovered that I only had my parking lights on the whole way home.

Mood: dur dur dur

Crush

I have a crush.

He's an older man. Rugged, mysterious, with a sexy growly voice.

Damn those bits and pixels.

Mood: weird

Friday Five

1. What is your favorite type of literature to read (magazine, newspaper, novels, nonfiction, poetry, etc.)?
Nonfiction. I enjoy reading about theology and sociology, particularily things that discredit Christian dogma. It's a hobby.

2. What is your favorite novel?
I don't have just one. My favorite series of books are the Incarnations of Immortality series by Piers Anthony and the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Also, the Tims trilogy by Madeleine L'Engle.

3. Do you have a favorite poem? (Share it!)
Your love is like
A cold hand on my ass.

(I hate poetry)

4. What is one thing you've always wanted to read, or wish you had more time to read?
The Bible, the Tao Te Ching, the Koran, the Torah.

5. What are you currently reading?
Fallen Angels and the Origins of Evil: Why Church Fathers Suppressed the Book of Enoch and Its Startling Revelations by Elizabeth Clare Prophet. It's fucking horrid when the author puts in her two cents, but the snippets from the Book of Enoch are interesting by themselves. One of these days I'm going to read that too.

Mood:
Listening to: Duncan Sheik - Barely Breathing

AAAAACK!

My horoscope says:

Strange dreams and vivid premonitions may come your way today, Jennifer. Your intuition and telepathic faculties are operating at a very high level, and you could find yourself thinking of someone who may later phone or drop by. There is also, however, a tendency to be a bit too paranoid. If some of the messages you receive appear disturbing, don't panic. Check out the facts first. You're likely to find that all is much better than you sensed.

Okay, here's the dream I had right before I woke up.

I was at some sort fo family meal thing with my family and some Hmong (?) people. These strangers were taking tons of scorpions and putting them through this machine that would somehow through a sickening grinding process remove their tails. The bodies of these scorpions would then drop into these baskets/barrels that just so happened to be right behind my chair at the table. They stopped grinding scorpions for a while so I figured it was safe to sit down. My brother was sitting next to me. We started talking about furniture. Then the grinding resumed. I got completely freaked out (I'm really, really, really not good with things with many legs) and got up to get away from that barrel of dead insects and get a drink. I was really craving a Mailbu and Coke so I went downstairs (it became my parents' house sort of) to get a Coke out of the fridge. I started freaking out more and getting really paranoid and thinking there were insects everywhere and I started twitching and screaming.

Then I was outside my parents' house where they were holding some sort of Olympic/X-Games surfing competition on the street. The street was now a canal with a huge wave machine creating massive surfing waves. These competitors were doing some kind of strange surfing/bodyboarding thing. I wanted to try it. That was strange because there's no way I'd ever do that in real life. It just seemed really safe and controlled there.

Then the horrors began again. Everything was freaking me out. People were doing odd but mundane tricks with their dogs and I was freaking out, thinking that someone was going to kill one of these dogs. Something involved putting four puppies in a barrel, shooting them up in the air on electric wires like a slingshot, and having them land on the wire like some kind of high wire circus act. Later on these wires snapped. I heard a newscast in the background saying something about two people being killed by the wire and four more getting injured.

Then all the sudden I was a man fishing on a river that looked like the Minnesota River in Mendota Heights. The wire somehow made its way out there and cut off part of this man's/my finger. I think it was my right ring finger. Anyway, he/I tried to radio this Coast Guard ship that was somewhat nearby I guess and they said they'd try to find him/me but "there were Columbian fishing boats in the area." Don't ask me, I don't know what that means either. So he/I tried to hunt down one of these Columbian fishing boats and get some help. I found some guy and was frantically trying to ask for help and ice and a hospital using what little Spanish I know. I made it to a hospital that was conveniently located right off shore eventually. I remember its name was Mayo (something Spanish).

I know that some other guy got all of his fingers and most of his right hand cut off by that same wire and he was one that ended up dying.

So there's my dream. That's supposed to be prophetic? We'll see tomorrow if all my fingers are intact.

Watch out for the scorpions.

Mood:
Listening to:

Mr. Rogers is dead.

I always knew this day would come. And I knew it would be coming soon. But it just doesn't seem real.

Mood: sad

Wild Side Wednesday a day early

1) Have you ever smoked cigarettes?
Not one. Not ever.

2) Have you ever smoked marijuana?
Not one puff. Not ever.

3) Have you ever done any hard drugs?
See above.

4) What's the most alcoholic thing that you will drink?
I'd probably try Everclear just to see what it was like. I'm known for doing straight shots of Jamison.

5) Have you ever been arrested? If yes, what for?
Nope.

6) Did you ever cheat on a test or assignment?
I used to put chemistry laws in my TI-85 calculator as a sort of electronic cheat sheet back in high school.

7) What is your definition of a bad boy/girl? Would you ever date that person?
There are good bad boys/girls (GBB/G's) and bad bad boys/girls (BBB/G's). GBB/G's are rockers and extreme sports enthousiasts. BBB/G's are those things plus a lot of drugs and alcohol. I'd be more inclined to make a fuckbuddy out of a good bad boy/girl than to actually cultivate a relationship with them. I do, after all, plan on the buy-a-house-travel-and-have-kids-then-retire-to-the-country future, and I just don't think the bad boy/girl type is into that sort of thing. There's something very appealing about someone pouring their heart out on stage or in a sporting event. That's why my last two SOs have been musicians. I look up and see my baby on that stage and I just turn into a big flaming ball of lust. Mmm.

8) Who do you consider to be off-limits sexually? (excluding relatives because hopefully it's assumed that they're not available!)
Drug users, alcoholics, violent people, animal haters, homocidal maniacs, people who shop at Abercrombie & Fitch, the Gap, etc.; country music fans, rap fans, women with fake boobs, hairy men, hairy women, BDSM maniacs, anorexics... probably others.

About sums it up

There is an excellent article in the Star Tribune about HF 341. Sadly, it doesn't give an author's name. Here it is, in case this link doesn't work:

Editorial: Gays, lesbians / Pawlenty should ensure rights

Published Feb. 11, 2003
ED11A

In his State of the State speech, Gov. Tim Pawlenty invited Minnesotans to "learn about another culture and get to know and trust someone different than you."

Now Pawlenty should heed his own noble words by renouncing Republican efforts to remove protection for gays and lesbians from Minnesota's human rights law. The governor made only a fair start last week on Twin Cities Public Television's "Almanac," saying the law "hasn't been a big problem," but then listing equivocations that left the door open to repeal.

This is a door Pawlenty should quickly slam shut. Minnesota, in recent decades, has built a proud tradition of openness and tolerance. Returning to darker days -- when Jews, blacks and other "different" Minnesotans were routinely excluded -- is not an option. Neither is the comfortable assumption that those bad old days have been left entirely behind.

Indeed, part of Pawlenty's burden is an obligation to religious and cultural conservatives with big sway in GOP politics. During the campaign they questioned him on his 1993 support for including sexual orientation in the state's human rights law. Candidate Pawlenty assured them that he deeply regretted that vote, cast during his first term in the House.

So the confusion is understandable. Which Tim Pawlenty has Minnesota elected? His answer will reveal much about what he intends for the next four years.

Removing protections for gays and lesbians is part of a broader agenda pushed by the Minnesota Family Council. "Interim steps," the council says, might include exempting public schools and transgender persons from the human rights law. The problem, the council claims, is that the law is being used as a vehicle to promote homosexuality as a lifestyle choice.

Well, rubbish. First, homosexuality is not a lifestyle choice. Second, for conservative Christians to suggest that it is they who are victimized by society's tolerance of gays and lesbians borders on the silly. If this were ancient Rome, Christians of any stripe could easily claim victimhood. But here? And now? Living in a plural society -- and we hope Minnesota still qualifies -- requires some accommodation. Being uncomfortable with someone who is different is no reason to change a law intended to protect people who have suffered discrimination that is real, not contrived.

Minnesotans should know that the bill's author, Rep. Arlon Lindner, R-Corcoran, is a bit to the right even of the House Republican Caucus. It's a fair guess that not even he thinks total repeal can succeed. Still, if he can amass a potent crowd to favor his bill, legislative leaders may feel they must toss some kind of bone. The bone most easily tossed is removal of same-sex partner benefits from the yet-unratified 2002-03 state employee contract. And guess what? That's also on the Minnesota Family Council's "get it done" list for 2003. That's another door for Pawlenty to slam shut.

Phenomenon

It seems like everyone with a blog right now is cranky. Seriously, I just read six separate blogs, all pissing and moaning about something.

I'm glad I'm in a bitchy mood too.

Thanks to Alissa for being the only person whose blog I read with a happy entry.

I really shouldn't be cranky, but then again, I've been awake since 6:30 AM and it's my day off. I'm putting off doing yoga and turning the TV off and showering and changing clothes and other things because... well, I can. I'm the most crabby about a certain website related to a certain hobby/business of mine. None of the people involved have done anything personally to me lately, but I always get into a foul mood when I visit that site. Why visit that site at all? Because every once in a while it has some good information. I hate the fact that if you're not in the clique you are ignored. I've come to the conclusion that web message boards are nothing but electronic lunch periods of a world-sized junior high. Puke.

I have to clean. I think I'll clean to Chicago's Greatest Hits.

Mood: cranky
Listening to: the TV in the other room

TMNT

When I got to work this morning it was a zoo. Thousands of people in groups with matching shirts. It was the American Heart Walk. There were people screaming "WHOOOOOOO!" as they were loping along. Geez. It's a charity walk, not a Backstreet Boys show.

The cause is, of course, sorely needed, but I found it ironic that most, if not all, the walkers were anything from slightly overweight to mildly obese. Practice what you preach, chumps. Without people like you around there wouldn't be any need for an American Heart Walk.

I wish I had Saturdays off so I could watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I caught part of it this morning but I didn't get to see if the new theme song has lyrics that are as inspired as the original:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes on the half shell
Turtle power

Deeply moving.

So far I haven't heart if there is a Shredder or, gods forbid, a Krang. I also didn't see Splinter this morning but it was the episode where they first meet (the much younger and hipper) April O'Neil -- sans yellow jumpsuit. In fact, she was showing an awful lot of skin for a lab assistant. She wasn't a news reporter. Interesting. Maybe she'll have a hot and cold relationship with a new studly Casey Jones.

Remember the live action movies? (You do. Don't lie.) Yeah. Casey Jones was hot. We still need to pick up those DVDs.

I feel like I'm eight years old again.

I wonder if my brother still has his TMNT comics or if he sold them for drug money long ago. He used to get so disgusted with the cartoon. "April O'Neil is black," he'd say with his nose in the air. He was a bit of a comic snob. I used to sneak into his room when he was gone and paw through his comics. Good times.

Sidenote: Today is the Day of Strong Odors here at the MOA.

Met Alissa at the Red Dragon last night. I haven't seen her since I left River Falls a few years ago. We decided that we're going to hunt down Jason (another college roommate) and make fun of people in that stinkhole town.

Had the strangest "job interview" this morning. I drove all the way out to this place and five minutes later I was leaving with a SASE and an application. Odd. I got the impression he wasn't all that keen on me, not that he actually asked me any questions or anything. My other interview was much better. I really, really hope I get that job. It's for a construction contractor in an office of four. I really think I'd fit in there. Here's hoping.

Need to play FFX now. I'm just past the most romantic scene ever. I almost cried. If I had PMS I would have.

Mood: blah
Listening to: Smithereens - Beauty and Sadness

The Game

Went to the Wild-Rangers game last night. It was crappy. Both teams were skating like crap. Roloson was doing a pretty good sieve impression. They looked apathetic. I wonder if they realize how close they are to playoff season? They sure weren't playing like a playoff team.

On the bright side Zholtok had a surprising gold in the 2nd. He was almost completely past the goal and somehow he got the puck between the goaltender's legs.

I'm beginning to wonder if Gaborick has lost his magic. I haven't seen him do anything spectacular all season. It seems like his focus has shifted from scoring to playing the body and getting penalties. Stop it, Marion. That's what the defensive line is for.

One more crappy thing about the game: the section we were sitting in. No enthousiasm. Half the people weren't there or left shortly after the game started. We also didn't have an usher in our section so people weren't waiting for the whistle to come and go. Bastards. The guy sitting next to me didn't even stand up when we scored. I wish I was drinking that night because I would have spilled my beer on him.

* Hero Bird's Evidence Lands Murderer

Too stressed to write anything... oh wait --

Let me say that I think the grammer is horrific and I usually take the time to fix the mistakes but I'm sick so screw it.

Wild Side Wednesdays

1. Do you notice your stressin before it gets out of hand or do you just let it go and work it out full blown?
I live in a constant state of denial. I know I'm stressed, but I rarely do anything about it.

2. What do you do when your totally stressed out? Do you have a routine or do you just ride the wave??
It usually involves Enya, yoga, and/or peppermint and chamomile tea. Or Tai Bo.

3. What is your "Stress Food" (ie the one thing you look for when your stressing bad)
Anything sweet. In large quantities.

4. Stress Liquid?? Anything special you like to have?? Herbal Teas?? Coffee?? Alcohol?
Like I said...

5. Stress Music?? Any certian tunes you crank up to soothe your stressin head???
Pantera, Slayer, Soulfly, etc. Then Enya and this CD I have of loon sounds.

Sick?

Good thing I don't work until Thursday. I'm coming down with yet another case of the common cold or something and I feel like crrrrrrap. I haven't had an appetite in three days and I've got that annoying post-nasal drip sore throat that just won't die. I don't know if it's the nasal spray I used earlier or what but I had the worst dizzy spell ever a little while ago. I was sitting here typing and I seriously thought my apartment building was turning upside down. I thought maybe we had just been hit by some whacko nuclear bomb and this was the end. Now I'm just mildly dizzy and nauseous. Fabulous.

WHINE.

Mood: sick
Listening to: my neighbor's bass

I'm doing something

I'm trying to spearhead a movement among MN webloggers and siteowners to raise awareness about the proposed human rights changes in Minnesota and to get people to show support at GLBT Lobby Day on March 6. Please take a moment to go here for more info or here to put a link on your page.

Friday Five

1. Explain why you started to journal/blog.
I was wearing my hand out and blowing through too many paper journals. It's so much easier to type! Also, I think it's interesting to read other people's blogs and see how their minds work. It's a fascinating socialogical study.

2. Do people you interact with day to day or family members know about your journal/blog? Why or why not?
A few friends know I have a blog but they either don't use the Internet much at all or have a blog of their own. Please don't tell my family about my blog. :) It's nice to have a place to vent my frustration at my family.

3. Do you have a theme for your journal/blog?
Yeah. It's called "Random Neural Firings."

4. What direction would you like to have your journal/blog go in over the next year?
The same direction it's going in now...? I don't forsee any huge changes besides purely cosmetic ones.

5. Pimp five of your favorite journals/blogs.
Look to the left. Those are the blogs I read on a daily or semi-regular basis.

Mood: good
Listening to: the cats meowing

From work 1-28-03 (I'm a slow typer)

I'm re-downloading Vertical Horizon's CD. When I first heard of them I thought they were a Christian band. They're not the most exciting band in the world, but the CD makes for good background music.

I popped in a Soulfly CD yesterday. I haven't listened to them in a while and I forgot how much I like them.

The local classic rock station is playing Eddie Money. I won't go into how much I can't stand him, but I will say that calling yourself the "Money Man" is the most arrogant, conceited thing I've ever heard. I wonder if Springsteen (another horrible musician) calls himself the Boss.

I'm not a huge Doors fan, but "Riders on the Storm" really is a good song. Even if "his brain is swerving like a toad" only makes sense if you smoke a lot of pot.

The wine shop across the hall sells a wine called "Old Fart." I wonder what that tastes like. The wine, I mean. I've made a decision to almost quit drinking altogether. I don't want to drink when I'm out of the house beyond a glass of wine. I just end up worrying about whether I can drive or not. Dan is always drinking when we're out and I don't necessarily trust hi to drive all the time, even if it is just a few blocks. I've always been paranoid about drinking and driving. A friend of mine's sister was killed in a drunk driving accident on New Year's Eve when we were young. I didn't know her that well, but it still hit pretty close to home.

25 or 6 to 4: one of my favorite songs of all time.

There is this nasty commercial for some stuff called Puristat that goes on and on about impacted waste and unhealthy bowels and such. Customers king of squirm a bit when that one comes on.

I'm craving Red Lobster like mad. I don't know what my problem is, but lobster meat looks really good. I haven't had any in a very long time so I forgot what it tastes like, but I probably still wouldn't like it. I remember it being really chewy, which freaks me out. And besides, lobsters are basically large seagoing insects. So are shrimp. When I think about people eating insects I almost lose it. What a vile, vomit-inducing idea that is. I think I'm about to start dry heaving now.

I don't know how this idea popped into my head, but what do people put in their letters of resignation? Especially when specifically asked to resign. Mine would look something like:

Dear Employer:

I resign.

Sincerely,
Employee.

I also don't understand why people like Bill Gates or Steve Case continue to work after having made their millions. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I'd probably retire after my first 5 ort 10 million.

I just saw the biggest afro walk by. You could, like, hide a dog up there.

There is a large sign 5 yards away proclaiming this as the West Side of the mall. We frequently get asked, "Where is the East Side?" I'll tell them that they are currently on the West Side. Sometimes they ask how to get to the East Side. Dude, the mall is one big circle. There aren't any hidden passages or confusing intersections. I just look at those people and say, "don't make me answer that."

I think It's going to take an invasion of a hostile alien race to bring us toward world peace. I wonder if everyday, average people in Arab nations are really so narrow-minded. I really wonder how far the "I'm going to hate you because my father hated your father and my grandfather hated your grandfather, etc." mentality goes. Here's my plan for world peace:

First we find all the blatant sexism and work on that. All the misogyinist pigs would be gathered into large boot camps. We get that big dude that's always on the Maury show's boot camp episodes and put him in charge of overseeing the worldwide deployment of drill sargents.

Next we focus on homophobia. Equal rights would be manditory. Same-sex marriage would be no problem. And the complainers? Off to boot camp.

Tieves and robbers would have the option of having a hand chopped off or hard manual labor for 20 years. Rapists would have all genitalia cut off. Murderers would be put in a cage and torn apart by lions. Litterers would have to pick up trash 12 hours a day for 30 days straight.

Money would be abolished. Bartering would become the main form of trade.

Wouldn't that be nice? Too bad I'm not Queen of the World.

I'd just like to take this opportunity

to say that just because I blog, that does not mean that I'm emo.

bow chicka bow

I love how songs in the 70's always had an underlying disco guitar riff. You'll be listening to "Lady" by Styx and it starts out all pretty with a piano in the background and then

bwa da   bwa da   bwa da   bwa da   bwa da

The disco ball starts spinning and afros sprout like plastic rodents in a whack-a-mole game.

I hate PMS.

PMS: a time every month or so when I weep openly about stupid shit.

Today I was watching Montel and they were reuniting older people with their lost loves. I was crying like a baby. I had to go put on my Wild jersey just to convince myself that I'm still a "tough chick."

Mood: weepy

I'm going to cry

Minnesota bill seeks repeal of gay rights

I'm SO mad right after reading that. I feel like I need to do... something but I don't know where to begin!

Just in case the link doesn't work, here's the story:

Minnesota bill seeks repeal of gay rights
Fri Feb 7, 7:15 PM ET
Add Community - Planet Out to My Yahoo!

Randy Dotinga, Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network

SUMMARY: Activists in Minnesota are gearing up to fight lawmakers who want to eliminate the state's landmark discrimination protections for gays and lesbians.



Activists in Minnesota are gearing up to fight lawmakers who want to eliminate the state's landmark discrimination protections for gays and lesbians.

Republican state lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday that would eliminate references to sexual orientation and gender identity in state civil rights laws. Since 1993, state law has protected gays and lesbians against discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment, government services and schools.

"It's a very mean-spirited effort by a right-wing fringe to make themselves out as victims," said Deborah Talen, executive director of Rainbow Families, a Minneapolis-based advocacy group for GLBT parents and children. "If Minnesota can do this, anybody can do it."

Minnesota, known as one of the most liberal states in the nation, has become more conservative in recent years. The governor who replaced independent maverick Jesse Ventura is a Republican, as is the state's freshman U.S. senator.

According to the Star Tribune newspaper of Minneapolis, critics of the civil rights protections have complained of "cross dressing" in schools and the alleged firing of a woman who spoke up about "homosexual activities" on campus.

Tom Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family Council, told the newspaper that the state House, dominated by Republicans, will probably vote to eliminate the sexual orientation protections. He said the proposal will have less of a chance in the state Senate, which is controlled by the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor party. But he thinks some limits on the law could still be passed.

Talen is worried that critics will indeed find a way to kill some of the sexual orientation protections. "Their overall strategy is that they'll start out with an all-out assault, and their back-up plan will be to eliminate this and this and this," she said. "If there isn't just a fury from all kinds of groups, it could end up in committee, where they'll end up whittling and watering down the human rights amendment to where it's of little value."

The Human Rights Campaign is already on the case. In a statement on Friday, the national GLBT rights group said killing the protections in Minnesota would return gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders to status as "second-class citizens."

The HRC said the proposed limitations are "extreme," in part because they would remove "sexual orientation" from Minnesota's written condemnation of Nazi persecutions during the Holocaust.

Mood: enraged

AARRRGGGHHH

When Dan got home I was cranky. Not only did I deal with the parakeet fiasco earlier, but Grady also knocked over more shit in my office, causing several vials of little tiny beads to go flying everywhere. And it's not like those vials were just hanging out asking to be scattered about, no, they were sealed and the only thing that could open them was me or a hard jarring motion, like hitting the hardwood floor. Also, I'm PMSing hardcore.

So naturally I was a little crabby. I told Dan we needed dishes because all of our silverware was dirty and the dishes had been sitting in the sink for four days. I went back into my office to continue the job search. A few minutes later I went back into the kitchen to apologize for being so cranky and he gets all pissed off. He muttered something about "...it just makes me mad..." and never finished the sentence.

"That I have PMS? That someone else can have a bad day?" I bitched.

We didn't talk the rest of the night.

What does he think I do all day when I'm not working? Hey, okay, so besides searching through endless online want ads and sending out countless copies of my resume and updating my business website and expanding my advertising strategies and paying bills and budgeting and filing taxes and cleaning out last year's shit from my file cabinet, all I do is play games. *SNORT*

I don't remember the last time he came home and started cleaning something of his own free will. He comes home, feeds the cats, and turns on the PS2. And that's fine. Whatever you have to do to unwind. But after he's finished playing his video game he turns on the TV and does nothing. What really killed me tonight was him asking, "So what do you want to do, wash dishes or cook?" As if I've never multitasked in my life. Because making spaghetti is so much work. And me, being the doormat I am, chose cooking.

Every day we have to stumble over two bags and a large box full of cans and bottles. I've been asking him to take them out for a week. I've got half a mind to get up in the middle of the night and put them in his car.

Mood: livid and PMSy
Listening to: that vein in my head

Not centered anymore

I was in the middle of a yoga session (using my new yoga mat for the first time - yay!) when Grady knocked over the parakeet cage. Bird seed and poop went flying everywhere, both cats took off running, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I was hanging upside down at the time and almost snapped my neck. Damn cat. Now he's begging for food. Argh.

Now I'm listening to Enya and trying to relax. My money situation isn't nearly as bad as I had thought. I finished my taxes last night and was delighted (really!) to learn than Turbotax online will deduct their fees from your return. Yay! If you're an idiot like me and don't want to try and figure out your taxes on your own, I highly recommend Turbotax online. It's only $20 for most people. It's great.

Anyway...

When my phone has a low battery it makes a sound like it's dying. Poor little phone.

I'm bidding on a Richard Park card on Ebay. I'm dumb like that.

Mood:
Listening to: Enya - Lazy Days

Eh

I should probably write something interesting.

Not a lot has been going on. I continue to give myself an ulcer over money. There's not enough hours to go around at work. I think I'll do my taxes now.

How's that for interesting? Blah.

Mood: \

I think that just about covers it

Huge frickin' survey. Here's a blank one if you'd like to fill it out yourself.

Ack.

I have a second interview at a company I interviewed with last week. I guess I'm up against two other candidates and I'm feeling a little underqualified. There's really no reason for this; I'm actually perfect for the position. I have to steel myself tonight and pretty myself tomorrow to charm the pants off these people. Wish me luck!

Mood: determined
Listening to: Dead Can Dance - Ocean

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I've made a few subtle changes to the site. My links to other blogs are now powered by Blogrolling. I added site statistics from Blogpatrol. I added a link to Blogarama. And I took out the <LI> tags in the left and right column blocks.

Mood:
Listening to: Dead Can Dance - Rakim

What I learned today

Edward Norton used to date Courtney Love and make special appearances with Hole.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Also, the picture on this page makes him look EXACTLY like our friend Scott. Woah.

Dear gods!

Fox to bring back Mr. Ed.

Mood: WTF
Listening to: Nothin' at all

Porn

I'll have to remember to use the phrase "put your frankfurter in my honeypot" completely out of context sometime.

Mood: weird
Listening to: Vertical Horizon - You're A God

Because I'm bored

Stolen from Alissa's LiveJournal.

[ x ] Spell your first name backwards - refinneJ
[ x ] The story behind your user name - I like Pikachu. A lot. It's the epitome of cute.
[ x ] Are you a lesbian - Only halfway.
[ x ] Where do you live - Minneapolis, MN
[ x ] 4 words that sum you up - short, opinionated, caring, quiet


DESCRIBE YOUR
[ x ] Wallet - Black with Batz Maru
[ x ] Hairbrush - White Scunci brand with a green ribbed rubber handle. Sounds like a condom.
[ x ] Toothbrush - Purple and white
[ x ] Jewelry worn daily - I most often wear a silver blue topaz ring from Avon on one of my ring fingers.
[ x ] Pillow cover - I have two pillows. I usually use an off-white cover on one and a cream and green viney cover on the other.
[ x ] Blanket - Light tan with white leaves
[ x ] Coffee cup - Large black mug with the Cheshire Cat all over it.
[ x ] Sunglasses - Black plastic.
[ x ] Underwear - Right now? White cotton. Dan's out of town.
[ x ] Shoes - Black leather Sketchers
[ x ] Handbag - I don't own a "handbag." I either carry a red woven zippered bag or a green army surplus bag.
[ x ] Favorite shirt - My gray Ranma 1/2 Furikan High t-shirt or my green Pikachu t-shirt.
[ x ] Cologne/Perfume - Oui by Lancome
[ x ] CD in stereo right now - Soulfly
[ x ] Tattoos - Tribal dragon on left shoulder
[ x ] Piercings - Two in each ear, one in tongue, one in lip.
[ x ] What you are wearing now - Gray MN Wild fleece pants, yellow Misty (Pokemon) t-shirt, gray hooded sweatshirt from Lake Breeze Resort in Duluth, MN.
[ x ] Hair - Unwashed, unbrushed. Dyed back to my original almost-black with a few brown highlights in the front. Curly. Layered so I don't have the mushroom head effect.
[ x ] Makeup - Rarely have time or ambition. Usually black eyeliner and light pink lipstick with gloss. Glitter if I'm feeling saucy.


WHO or WHAT (was/is/are)
[ x ] In my mouth - Oriental flavored ramen with cream of mushroom soup and frozen mixed veggies, iced tea
[ x ] In my head - Henry Rollins's spoken word.
[ x ] Wishing - that I wasn't broke.
[ x ] After this - I'm going to clean my office and kitchen. Maybe fold some clothes.
[ x ] Talking to - My cat.
[ x ] Eating - See above.
[ x ] Fetishes - being tied/handcuffed.
[ x ] If you could get away with murder, who and for what reason - No thanks.
[ x ] Person you wish you could see right now - Dan.
[ x ] Is next to you - Sara, my cat.
[ x ] Some of your favorite movies - Metropolis (1927), The Mask, Twelve Monkeys, Fight Club, Clerks
[ x ] Something you're looking forward to in the upcoming month - Eating.
[ x ] The last thing you ate - See above.
[ x ] Something that you are deathly afraid of - Spiders.
[ x ] Do you like candles - Yes.
[ x ] Do you like hot wax - For use during sex? No. To take off unwanted body hair? I prefer sugaring.
[ x ] Do you like incense - Yes.
[ x ] Do you like the taste of blood - Yes.
[ x ] Do you believe in love - Yes.
[ x ] Do you believe in soul mates - Yes.
[ x ] Do you believe in love at first sight - You can't love someone without knowing them first.
[ x ] Do you believe in Heaven - Don't ask the agnostic.
[ x ] Do you believe in God - I'm still very agnostic about this, but I'm pretty sure there's something/things out there.
[ x ] What do you want done with your body when you die - Just stick me in the ground out in the woods somewhere. Don't bother spending money on a coffin. Let me return to the earth. Thanks.
[ x ] Who is your worst enemy - I dunno. Myself?
[ x ] If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be - A pixie-bob! (Bobcat-housecat cross)
[ x ] What is the latest you've ever stayed up - I've pulled a few all-nighters.
[ x ] Ever been to Belgium - No.
[ x ] Can you eat with chopsticks - Born and raised on chopsticks.
[ x ] What's your favorite coin - Anything with a hole in it.
[ x ] What are 5 cities you wouldn't mind relocating to - Duluth, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Baton Rouge
[ x ] What are some of your favorite pig out foods - Oreos, kettle corn, twinkies, ice cream, Famous Dave's ribs, Popeye's Chicken, White Castles
[ x ] What's something that you wish people would understand - I can't talk very well. I stutter and I can't translate thoughts into words.
[ x ] What's something you wish you could understand better - People.
[ x ] Anyone you miss that you haven't seen in a long time - My mom.
[ x ] What's one thing you want to make happen for tomorrow - Find peace.

It's one of those nights where I can't shut my brain off so I might as well wit here in bed and write. I got about five hours or less of sleep last night but it didn't matter because I worked a shitty track meet all day. I don't think I sold $200 worth of merchandise in eight hours. At least there were a few intelligent people there who weren't willing to fork over $75 for a sweatshirt. I wonder if track is the ghetto of college athletics. I love hockey and all, but it's full of rich hockey families shelling out wads of cash on useless merchandise. I've never worked a basketball game but I'm willing to bet it's just as bad, if not worse.

What kills me most is these college girls who whip out stacks of $20 bills. This means that they are either high-priced hookers or snotty rich sorority girls. Sickening either way.

I'd actually have a little more respect for them if they were hookers. At least they'd be working for their money. I have no problem with prostitution. I only have a problem with the drugs, alcohol, and abuse that usually follows. If you're a prostitue, don't take shit, stand up for yourself, and stay clean. Keep on truckin', ladies (and gents).

I can't find a pen that I like. This one is too fat and I press too hard or something and the ink doesn't flow right. I nearly have to give myself a hernia to use this other pen because it doesn't write smoothely at all. I wish I had a laptop.

Grady spends a lot of time starig at the ceiling. I can understand it when people are walking around upstairs and his kitty radar is going crazy, but sometimes he'll stare at nothing. There is no sound. There is nothing there. I don't sense any ghosts in this house but I could bery well be wrong. I wish I had a ghost to talk to right now. I haven't spent a weekend alone in a very long time. I hope Dan and the boys stay safe.

Getting tired now. Hope I can fall asleep right away.

For the love of dog...

I've written before about my superhuman ability to stop an online conversation in its tracks. Here's another case in point. What the hell? I'm just going to ask. What have I got to lose?

Fuck, man. Nobody online knows me from Adam. I always introduce myself using the proper channels on message boards. I'm nothing but nice and honest and decent. I don't give in to trolls and I don't suck up to anyone. Anyone.

Maybe that's my problem. I haven't sucked up to a certain person. Shit. Screw fucking online office fucking politics.

Mood: frustrated
Listening to: that vein in my neck throbbing

Maroon 5 review

I've been listening to Maroon 5's first single "Harder to Breathe" a lot lately. On the surface I like it, but there was always something bugging me about the song. It lacks something to flesh it out. I thought about it and thought about it and I've decided that they need a different vocalist. Or a lot of backup vocals. I've downloaded a bunch of tracks to get a feel for their sound, and it's very college band. They have just enough groove and funk to get airplay on pop stations, but from the vocals to the limp guitars they're largely unoriginal. When "This Love" started up I thought I had accidentally downloaded a Britney Spears track. "She Will Be Loved" would be a fantastic song if it wasn't for the boring, whiney vocals. The rest of the tracks are slow and unremarkable.

Not Fair

Dan and I have the best conversations at night, in bed, right before we fall asleep. We could probably lay there for hours talking, but we always have to get up early the next morning. I treasure these nights.

Mood:
Listening to: Maroon 5 - Harder to Breathe

Too lazy to post this yesterday

At the MOA again. I really don't work out here that often, I just have a lot of time to sit and write. Kris was cool enough to get us some tickets to the Henry Rollins spoken word show last week. I love that man. I told Dan flat out that if I wasn't so in love with him I'd hunt Hank down and force him to marry me. But anyway.

My Gramma says that a lot. "But anyway..." That's the Gramma catch phrase.

At least I have a radio today. I can somewhat drown out the stupid fucks screaming on the Mighty Axe. The ride moves quite literally painfully slow, too slow (and painful) to be fun or amusing or frightening enough to warrent a screaming reation. Do you obnoxious children scream when you do a somersault too? Shut the fuck up.

I'm getting cranky because I'm freezing and I have to pee. Jason doesn't come in for another hour. I hate asking the guy at the sweatshirt store across the hall to watch the kiosks when the old man is there. I've never actually talked to the old man in there but in my experience old men wearing bifocals attached to a string are never friendly toward whippersnappers like me. Those are the guys who shake their fists and yell things like, "Get off my lawn!" I'll never say that when I get old. It'll be easier to sic my dogs on those meddling kids.

I think I just saw Santa Clause.

I don't want to be the flaming insensitive bitch, but it seems like wherever I work is a magnet for persons of severe mental handicap. I'm always so ill prepared to deal with this situation. I feel like I'm doing something wrong when I take their money, like their caretaker will come up to me later and chastise me for selling something to somebody who so obviously doesn't know what's going on. I know that sounds horrible.

We got these kickass MN Northstar replica jerseys in. They're made by Vintage Clothing, a company I wish I worked for.

I can't believe it, but I'm becoming a bit of a sports fan. Well, two sports anyway. The Wild anthem actually stirs some emotion in me. I bit my nails when the Twins were playing in the Championship Series. I get that euphoric sense of excitement when the Gopher hockey team puts the puck away. Weird.

Bill Joel and Elton John are coming to town. Tickets are $85. Assholes.

Crosby, Stills, and Nash are coming to town. I've been dropping some not-so-sutble hints at Dan that tickets would be a superfantastic early birthday present. I'm going to start dropping hints at my family next. Fat lot of good that will do.

They're not over here

I really, really don't want to like that new Coldplay song -- you know, the one with the piano -- but I do. I still feel sorry for the guy though. I hope he finds his balls soon.

I promise I won't mention Adam Sandler

On a visit to Isreal Shop I discovered that one can buy yarmulkes in the likenesses of a basketball or football.

Further reading led to the supposed reason behind the wearing of the yarmulke (kippah). It is worn to remind one that there is always something between a person and his/her god.

In different parts of the world the type of kippah you wear (knitted, black, large, small, peaked, smooth) can symbolize what particular sect or social class you're in as well as how religious you are.

Mood: geeky
Listening to: nothing

At work pt. II

I've got all kinds of questions about the yarmulke. Why do they wear it? How does it stay on their heads? Do they make them in different colors for different occasions? I honestly want to know but I don't know who to ask. Maybe I'll try yarmulke.com when I get home. This came up because it seems to be yarmulke day here at the MOA.

I got a preservative-laden Honey Bun from the place across the hall. I always feel bad for the guy working there because he's always there from open to close (I think). He always looks so bored and kind of sad. I thought I'd give the guy some business to make the day less tedious. He was kind of mean. I don't feel sorry for him anymore.

Seriously now, do you see any Gopher youth hockey jerseys hanging with all the other Gopher hockey jerseys? No? Then no, we don't have any. I promise I'm not hiding any in the kiosks.

12:09 AM
Here's a fun fact: the Mall of America doesn't have any heating. It relies solely on body heat and sunlight coming through the skylights.
Here's another fun fact: I'm freezing my nipples off. When it's 10 below outside and nobody's at the mall during the day it's fucking cold in here.

12:14 AM
I just had my first sale of the day. We open at 10:00. I'm really glad this company is planning on opening a real store in the mall rather than keep the kiosk setup, but I'm not sure how viable an option that really is. Whatever, I'm not in charge here.

12:17 AM
I found out this morning that I can surf the Internet on our POS terminal. Neat.

12:28 AM
The most exciting thing about my morning was watching people watch a cop lead a guy away in handcuffs. It was funny to watch peoples' heads swivel around and necks craning to see a guy walking away.

12:43 AM
If you're a customer in a retail establishment, please don't be smarmy. And for the love of gods don't be a know-it-all. Although, it is that much more satisfying to take you down (we're going to do it whether you realize you're being burned or not), but don't do it anyway.

12:49 AM
Dan and I went to our company holiday party last night. I got a $40 gift card for Target. Dan got a gift card for Home Depot. Rock. The party was at Howie G's in Fridley (a.k.a. the middle of freaking' nowhere). The premise of this restaurant is that you go in, eat a huge salad, choose a slab of raw meat, take your cow, fish, or chicken part to one of the giant grills, season it, and cook it yourself. If the enormous quantities of meat aren't enough for you they also have a potato bar. You do all this in the presence of a 7 foot superdeformed statue of Howie himself. It's lovely.

Earlier in the day we went down to New Prague (motto: "have a kolache!") to my stepmom's mom's, mom's twin sister's, and mom's brother's birthday slash retirement party. There was a moral dilemma surrounding this that I'll get to later.
This affair was at a fancy-schmancy place called Schumacher's. It's German-northwoodsy-wild-gamey cuisine. Dan had the chicken and I had the pork schnitzel. It came with a cranberry-raisin relish and was very tasty, though a bit cold. For dessert there was apple strudel. The biggest apple strudel I've ever seen. My dad bought us black & tans and gin & tonics and it was slightly less boring than other Larsen family events. My brother and his family got to skip out because my brother has the Norfolk virus and the kids have chickenpox. Yeah right. liars.

The moral dilemma was that the Wild Skills Competition was also that day. It was hard deciding to go to the retirement party instead and this decision was reached only through much deliberation and soul-searching. But it really stun when Dan won a pair of free tickets. I thought about it, wrestled with the ethics of blowing off my stepfamily, and reluctantly decided to go to New Prague. Dan gave the tickets to his dad and brother. I nearly cried.

I really wanted to get a puck signed by Richard Park. He'll be in Maplewood this week though, filming the Call of the Wild TV show. I just so happen to have that night off. Yay!

At work today...

The Mall of America. Patriotism though commercialism. If you're from out of Minnesota - or even outstate Minnesota - you probably don't grasp the near-joke quality of the place. National chain stores arrive starry-eyed and rip-roaring to install their flagship retail outlets and leave dejected, spirits, deflated, when sales slow to a dribble, then a painful ooze. Slowly the mall becomes overgrown with more of the same -- literally. Sunglass Hut/Watch World owns five separate installations. Clairs/Afterthoughts/Icing has four. Sam Goody & Foot Locker each have three.

The funny thing is that they have advertisements on empty kiosks stating "Be a CEO ASAP!" The only problem is that in order to get yourself a kiosk you have to pay upwards of $3000 per month in the off-season, not to mention the $3000 deposit and $3000 design fee. When I checked about three or four years ago the rent went up to $5000 a month during the peak holiday season. One can only hope that the post-World Trade Center recession forced the prices down.

There's a lot of stuff in the MOA that would make you shake your head, but by far the sickest display of corporate arrogance is the General Mills Creal Adventure. Fiberglass monstrosities fashioned into cereal mascots leer at you above the entrance. It is the tourist trap to end all tourist traps. You visit and then wonder why in the world you just shelled out a portion of your hard earned money to do so. It tries to be educational and fun, only somebody seems to have forgotten the fun. And it's not really very educational. Being able to mix your own creal blend is a novel concept until you realize you can do the same thing at home. And does anybody really care who's on the Wheaties box anymore? Much less if it's your great aunt Mildred and her best friend Helga? The space that Creal Adventure occupies was a lot more interesting as a mini golf course.

And here I sit, peering longingly at the MN Wild Hockey Lodge store directly below my place of employment, wondering if they're hiring.

Fun Referral Of The Day

Someone landed on my site by searching for "Dexter Holland picture naked".

I like the way you think, stranger.

The day off

I spent some time preparing for the tax season. I'm trying to figure out what I can and can't deduct. I cleaned all the 2001 crap out and started to sort through 2002. I've got a lot of paperwork.

I worked out a budget that will hopefully bring some peace of mind. Stupid bills.

Mood: busy
Listening to: Maroon 5 - Harder to Breathe

I am the dork queen!

My new cell phone plays "The Final Countdown" when it rings. YEAH!

I put in a request at Modtones for Eiffel65's "Blue." We'll see what happens.

By the way, does anyone know of a site with free ringtones for the Motorola T720?

Also, I can't figure out how to download pictures to the Media Center.

Had some people over last night for deep fried turkey. I've got a friend who just moved here from Montana to go to school at the Aveda Institute. We got to talking about how Minnesota is different from other parts of the country race-wise. When Dan moved out here from Virginia he said he had never seen so many white people all condensed in one place. When my Montana friend moved out here she said she had never seen so many non-white people condensed in one place. Living in Minnesota (and the Twin Cities) for most of my life I've seen it change througout the years from whitey-white white in the early eighties to more of a diverse area. My brother and I grew up being the "Oriental kids" -- even more a minority because we are only half Korean. The Twin Cities in the early eighties had a huge Korean population, especially in St. Paul. Over the years the Hmong/Southeast Asian and Hispanic populations have exploded. And yet in High School I still felt like an outsider because I wasn't part of an Asian gang or clique. It was almost weird that I hung out with white kids rather than a strictly Asian group. I felt looked down upon by the Asian kids. Not that I cared, mind you. I was sort of my own solitary island anyway, and I had less in common with them than anyone else. I wonder if there are any goth metalhead Pagan Asians at Burnsville Senior High these days? I should ask Dan's brother.

Anyway.

I had a disturbing dream last night. I'm always disturbed by dreams where I'm acting opposite of my true personality and moral standards. I guess in this dream I was attracted to and secretly in love with someone in real life. In this dream he happened to be a djinn or half-djinn or something (and that's as weird as the dream got). The djinn thing actually had very little to do with the rest of the dream, only serving as an icebreaking conversation starter. This friend could read my mind, which led to several embarrassing moments and his discovery of my love and, more importantly, my lust for him. He ended up confessing his own love and comedy ensued from that point. I spent the rest of the dream debating on whether I should cheat on Dan and seduce this guy, leading him to cheat on his own girlfriend. The disturbing part was that I was actually leaning toward seduction. ACK. ACK. ACK.

I know that this sort of thing is perfectly normal and healthy and only serves to strengthen my moral fibers in the waking world. It's still scary.

Mood: