the world is your acorn

ick. In case you don’t know how the Google search engine works, it depends on outgoing links to rank sites. So if more webpages link the string “friedapplepie” to this site than any other, then I’d be the top search hit. Well, some asshole has managed to google bomb the phrase “martin luther king” for evil. Here is my contribution to the side of good:

Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King

Yesterday afternoon Lady E. and I went to visit with a couple friends of mine from my first teaching job right out of college. They were (and still are) a huge part of my life, and I would be a completely different person right now had I not met them. They helped me get through learning to become a teacher and an independent adult. Since leaving that teaching job I have been in and out of contact with them, but whenever possible we try and get together, and it’s always just as comfortable as before. We have different things to talk about now, and have to catch up on major events in each other’s lives, but still somehow there is this feeling of familiarity, and of knowing each other really well and trusting that it’s still the same even though it’s different. There are few people in my life that are like that, and I feel very lucky to have these two.

Me and K and the munchkin:

Saturday morning we got up ass-early to head out to the H-Y tailgate. Lady E. and The Doctor managed to secure official class alumni funds for 0Y1 and 0Y0, so we were the official class tailgates. It was a load of work organizing, but it was definitely a successful day. It absolutely flew by. I played with friends from undergrad and friends from my master’s program, one of whom is a professional tailgater and donated his truck, his grill, and a lot of other tailgating equipment.

The setup:

Representing 0Y2, 0Y1, and 0Y0:

Peaches, by the way, created that hot banner. A good time was had by all.

Had an amazing weekend. Despite my flights being all botched up, I arrived at Logan safely and only 2 hours late on Friday afternoon. My checked baggage, of course, didn’t make it until a few hours later, but I was able to pick it up later without too much hassle (although I still think Delta should pay our tolls for having to drive out there again, bastards). Anyway, I had a great time hanging out with Fanclub Girl and her lady friend, then later dinner with them and Fierce n’ Fiery. The Club was sort of a weird experience. It was totally the same, but at the same time not at all. In a year and a half all the regulars are totally different. I recognized maybe 4 people the whole night. I thought I would be sad about it, that this space that used to feel like mine has totally moved on without me. I’m not though. I’m not sure what that means.

Mr. OGT grubs on a cinnamon spice rimmed dixie cup while Peaches feigns interest in Lady E’s story:

There is a Simple Tech 1GB USB flash drive for $15.90 after rebate and a 2GB version for $25.47 after rebate at Buy.com. Shipping is free, although if you’re in TN watch out for taxes (they seem to have a warehouse here). I got the 1GB version, and it’s pretty good for the price. It’s not fast, and it’s about standard size for a flash drive, but it works and is reliable. And cheap, if you’re willing to play the rebate game. Deal ends at the end of November, I believe.

ps - I don’t work for Buy.com or anything, it’s just a good deal that I wanted to share.

Tomorrow morning The Little Red Haired Girl takes me to the airport, and by early afternoon I’ll be in Boston. Gay-marrying, public transporting, Dunkin Donutting Boston. I am ridiculously excited. That is all.

why do we say “the same” and not “the different”?

I live in a state where 80% of voting adults, through hatred, ignorance, spitefulness, or self-righteousness believe it is their right to make decisions about my relationship. This place will never be my home.

Well, I got up ass-early (for me, anyway) this morning to do my part for the Vote No on 1 campaign, arriving just after 7am at Hillsboro High to stand in front of the 100 ft boundary with my Vote NO on 1 yard sign and hand out “I Voted NO” stickers to anyone who wanted them.

I’ve never done such a thing, and wasn’t really eager to, but felt that this was the last thing that I could do for the campaign. So, I stood there, smiling and saying “Good Morning” to people. Being non-confrontational but wanting to be friendly, I decided I would approach my task with the understanding that everyone is there to make democracy work, so even if people disagree on political issues with me, we all are joined at the very least in that common cause. And plus it’s ridiculous to walk by people and avoid eye contact if you’ve been standing there staring at them since they drove in the lot. Anyway, most people seemed to agree, returning my greeting with a smile. Some people became suddenly fascinated with their shoelaces or their cellphones as they walked by, but being a shy girl myself I understand that.

One lady, however, was suspicious and angry:
Me: Good Morning! ((smile smile))
Lady: No! I don’t want any! ((frown frown stomp stomp))
Me: I’m sorry, I was just saying hi.
Lady: No! Not from you! ((frown frown stomp stomp run away))

There was just hatred and anger radiating all over from this lady. I couldn’t believe it. What did I do to her? Even if she suspected I was going to try and campaign or something her response was totally unnecessary. And if she is planning to vote “yes”, what right does she have to be angry with me? I haven’t done anything to her, and advocating voting “no” doesn’t do anything to her. In fact, voting “no” doesn’t change a thing. Gay marriage will still be illegal. The constitution will stay the same. If anything, I should be angry with her for trying to shut the door on any hopes I might have of getting marriage rights in this state. Ok, I might have understood it if she was going to be smug, or disgusted, or irritated. Angry and mean I just don’t get. I also noticed that she snuck out a side door on her way out, and circled the long way around the parking lot to get to her car. I think that her heart might be 3 sizes too small.