Bring On The Illiterate Queers...

I'm thinking hard about my possibilities for the summer...Non-Profit Career Expo at school on Thursday.  What a fantastic way to get my foot in the door...but, am I ready to get into the workforce after everything that happened the last time?  Plus, planning a wedding for the middle of June means I wouldn't be able to start working with a Non-Prof until after that.  Which is the last week of June. 

I know I couldn't continue working there throughout the year because of school and The Campus Citizen.  Those are two things I'm not willing to slack off on to keep working. The newspaper will be majorly taking off and printing 2ce a month.  As an Editor, I really need to concentrate on that and school.  The newspaper will be a definite positive mark on my writer's resume...but I'm not going into journalism.  I'm going into grant writing and philanthropy.

I seriously wonder if I'm even marketable.  There are going to be representatives from Indy Reads and Indiana Youth Group.  Both are places that would suit me well.  Indy Reads is a literacy program for Indianapolis and the IYG is a group dedicated to helping GLBTQIA teenagers. 

If I had a choice...it would be the IYG.  With everything I went through as a teenager, I truly think I have something to offer these kids.  But, I also have a passion for literacy.  My grandmother instilled that love of books and words in me and I'd love to do something with it to honor her memory.  If only I could combine them!  Where are the queer teens who can't read?  I'd be perfect for them...

A Writing Experiment...

I had to do an experimental dialogue in no more than 10 minutes for my creative writing class.  Here is what I came up with:

She walked by him, giving him nary a glance; or so he thought.  He realized a moment later that she must have noticed him when she spoke up.  “Your cologne,” she said, “It reminds me of my youth.”

He turned then and saw her.  He had assumed by the quick glance in her direction and her soft voice that she would be young.  Perhaps even beautiful.  She was neither.  The woman before him was probably in her late 60’s and had teeth that were gapped and gnarled.  Her hair was stringy and a dingy blonde color.  He knew he needed to be polite.  She was probably some poor old woman who was touched.  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”  He asked.

“You smell of youth and vigor.  Your scent takes me back to the days of my childhood.  Playing on the floor at my Papa’s feet, watching him while he hummed at the newspaper in his hands.  You smell like my Papa.”  There were tears in her eyes.  She moved closer, then.  “Who are you?  Why did you dare to take me back to the days of my childhood?”

He was startled.  “I’m sorry, ma’am.  I don’t think I know you.  I should really be going, I’m late for an appointment.”  It was his standard excuse for getting out of something he never wanted to be in in the first place. 

“Stop!  You owe me an explanation, lad!”  Her eyes flashed wildly now.  “You need to tell me what you were thinking!  Why would you do such a thing to a poor old woman like myself?  Why would you tear me out of my reality and drop me back at the feet of my father?”  She looked at him like an animal would right before attacking.  She was standing straighter, more animated. 

“Ma’am, I really must be going.  You are mistaken.”  Before the words were even out of his mouth, she had latched onto his arm.  Gripping it tightly.  “Ma’am, please, you really must let go of me.  I need to be on my way.”  He was getting scared now.  The more he pleaded with her to let him go, the tighter she clung. 

“You’ll go nowhere until I’m through with you!”  She shouted.  “Do you think this is some kind of game?”  Her eyes were wide open and her pupils were black.

Where should it go from here?  I want input and ideas from my readers...and then I'll continue to build upon it slowly until I have a completed story.  I think it will be fun to take your suggestions and turn it into something more than just a few exchanges of dialogue between characters.  

Sappy Love Shit...

June 18th is coming faster than I expected it would.  D and I will be signing our contract with the JW Marriott by next week.  We will be putting our deposit down.  This is serious and official.  I. AM. GETTING. MARRIED. 

What a mind trip.  With my track record with women, I didn't really expect to ever find the right one and settle down with her.  However, now that I am, nothing has ever felt so right.  D is the one.  Without question. 

I had no idea that day we first met in the Paradise Cafe that my life was about to change forever.  I can remember sitting in the booth watching her walk towards me like it was yesterday.  Who knew that all these years later I'd be mere months away from walking down that aisle towards her in front of our closest friends and family.  

A Fun Assignment…

I have to write a half page using 1 syllable words and short sentences to describe something memorable. Here is what I've got...

"Will you marry me?" she asked. Yes. Of course! Why would I not? I love you. So much. We should marry in June. Warm, but not hot. I will ask the ones I love to be there. So will you. So happy! Beth will stand up with me. So will A and Trish. Joe and Jaim will be with you. Plans to make. It will be just right. I am yours now. But, wait and I will be yours ever more. We will have a grand life. Just the two of us. The ring fits just right. You are a part of me now. Just us. We shall share all we have. Yours is mine, mine is yours. A life as one.

Bring On The Balloons...

I've just finished devouring my 3rd piece of leftover pizza and I'm sucking Diet Coke out of the 2 ltr. bottle.  I'm slamming things around and beating at the keyboard with my fingertips while tears stream down my face.  This is not my proudest moment. 

Before D left for work, I said some pretty shitty things and was promptly told that I had an ugly attitude.  The longer I sit here and think about it...the more I agree with her.  Now, dear reader, this is not an "all-the-time" thing.  I don't go around saying nasty things...but when I'm in a foul mood (for whatever reason) I've been known to pop off at the mouth with some mean shit. 

I have to ask, though, am I the ONLY one who does this?!?  Surely not.  Everyone probably has an ugly side that they let out on occasion, right??  Right?!? 

Anyway...I now have two choices.  I can follow along in the same vein and be nasty and mean and ugly all day.  Or, I can recognize this for what it is...and move along; refusing to allow it to color my day. 

*Sigh*  I don't feel ready to make that choice.  I feel like I need some more time to be whatever it is that I'm being, just on a smaller scale.  So, I'm choosing Option C.  I'm going to eat a lil chocolate while crying the rest of this ugliness out.  Take a shower.  Put on my best face, and go do a couple errands. 

So now, gentle reader, if you'll excuse me I need to go throw myself a pity party.

Blathering...

I look out of my office window and all I see is white.  There is a soft blanket covering the city and causing everyone to slow down a little.  The trees are quiet.  Sleeping giants who await the Spring.  Branches covered with ice and snow, their roots dormant beneath the frozen ground. 

The holidays are fast approaching...we're down to 4 days 'til Christmas and 9 days 'til my 31st birthday.  (yes, I count my birthday as a national holiday)  All the shopping is done (except for a red knit hat that my dad wants...).  Next comes the wrapping.  Ugh.  That is D's forte...not mine.  When I wrap a square box it ends up looking like a large blob of paper and tape.  It's a little embarrassing. 

I went shopping with Maxine today...I had $0 yet I managed to spend $67...?  I love credit cards.  Anyway, I bought a great new outfit for my birthday.  I'm spending the day with my sister and then probably going out to dinner with D.  I'm pretty excited about hanging with my sister.  She's a cool kitten.  She's planning the whole day...lunch, shopping, and a movie.  Hooray!

I'd say it's just about time for a nap.  Well, maybe I'll eat an orange first...but a nap is definitely in the near future. 

Viva L'italia...

ItaIian. Io amo la lingua. Amo il cibo. E, un giorno farò visita. Il mio sogno è di vivere in Italia. Anche se è solo per un breve periodo di tempo. Voglio visitare il centro di Roma, voglio visitare le chiese, ho voglia di mangiare gelato da un venditore ambulante. Forse un giorno avrò la possibilità. Ma, per ora, io sogno.

Vacay...

As of about an hour ago, I am finished with the semester.  All the finals have been taken, all the papers written and submitted.  Nothing left to do but enjoy the next 25 days off.  Ahhh...

Not Even A Mouse...

Ahhh...Christmas.  It is nearly upon us and that warm, fuzzy feeling that you get around this time of year is in full swing.  Christmas music on the radio...pictures with Santa.  A beautiful tree with half the lights not working.  Snow on the ground and more in the forecast.  Frantic shoppers descending upon the mall in droves.  Hot coffee in my giant "Meow-y Christmas" mug.  Who could ask for anything else? 

The house is quiet.  D's still in bed and I'm watching the cars creep down the snow-covered streets.  The apartment is chilly and I'm fantasizing about crawling back into bed...even though I know I'm not going to.  I've got two classes tonight, an online final on the 15th, and an exam on the 16th...then, I'm finished for the semester.  I'm anticipating all A's...perhaps a high B in Italian.  (Learning a language is tough!!)

We finished up our Christmas cards yesterday.  I'm going to pick up stamps today and then they'll go out tomorrow.  I'm so excited!  I love sending Christmas cards because it's like letting the people in my life know that I appreciate and love them.

Well, D's up and the silence is broken by the news on the television.  It's time to start moving.  Maybe I'll do some yoga this morning...Namaste.

Damn, It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta...

It's nearly christmas.  Which means it's nearly my birthday!!  I'm turning 31...so I'm going to have a 13th birthday party.  I want the perfect birthday that my inner 13 yr old would want.  Right now, I'm thinking mall...eating at the food court...window shopping...and Nordstrom's makeup counter.  Everything that would satisfy my inner 13 yr old. 

I get pretty stoked about my birthday.  It's like a holiday in my  honor.  Everyone is celebrating ME for one day.  It's like I'm famous!  It's gonna be a good day...