groceries

It's a wonderful feeling to finally pull up your bank info and see your paycheck in there after 2 days of waiting. We just got back from the grocery trip to end all grocery trips! We spent $150 at two stores, and only need around $40 more to finish off what we'll need for at least 3 weeks worth of planned and good meals. It's awesome! I'm so proud of Carrie for doing this. She made the list, then the menu for the next three weeks, and we'll only have to replenish milk and some produce like fruit. Otherwise we should be totally set up. Plus I'll have lunches to bring to school so I don't have to eat taco hell anymore! Yay!

One reason this is so exciting is that we are seriously budgeting for the second month in a row, and this will help a ton. Also, the meals are a lot healthier than convenience food or restaurants, which is key. We can control portions and fat/calories also. Granted, this is only possible thanks to my wonderful wife who can actually cook! If I were living on my own it would be a lot of spagetti, cereal, mac and cheese, and peas! lol

Tomorrow we'll finish up the shopping with a trip to another grocery store to get the stuff on sale there, which is only $10 worth of stuff or so, and then a quick trip to Sam's club. Then I honestly can't think of anything else we could possibly need! As long as I remain responsible, we'll make it through this month without going into the negative in the bank account again. That's the plan for now. However I'm still going to hit up the temp agency once I finish finals so I can make a little extra cash. We need to break even this month or the summer will not be pleasant.

Anyway, I'm quite tired now, so I should head to bed. Tomorrow will be another day of shopping, cleaning, and then jamming! Woohoo!

My dad’s update

Well, Dean went to the New London hospital Monday morning for more tests. He got there at 7 a.m. and they couldn't find his orders. Turns out when they made the appointment for him, they forgot to tell him the tests were scheduled at Appleton Medical Center Hospital! So, the tests were rescheduled for Tuesday. He spent all morning Tuesday at the hospital undergoing some more nuclear medicine tests called a GI Bleed. That testing didn't show anything abnormal either. This is certainly puzzling. It's good that they are not finding anything bad. It's just a frustrating process trying to get to the root of the problem.

There is another type of test they want to do which would involve Dean swallowing a tiny camera. Not sure when that will be scheduled yet.

His hemoglobin is slowly coming up to close to normal levels. Two weeks ago it was at 12.9, then last week it dropped to 12.6 and this week it's all the way up to 13.1 So that is a very good sign even though he is still having bleeding issues.

Just a quick update to let everyone know what's been happening.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Leona

new ritual

I've decided that in memorium of my favorite band taking a hiatus, I will wear my Butchies wristband for the next 3 days. This brought up some really interesting questions in myself today. For instance, why do we as humans feel this need to create rituals when important things happen? For me in particular, why do I create a ritual for something that didn't have one before? Perhaps it is a throwback to ancient rituals, the memory of which are hidden deep in memory?

What I do know is I try to find ways to mark important important situations in my life. But, I don't want traditional rituals. I struggled to find a unique marriage ceremony before settling on something somewhat traditional because I just couldn't figure it out. It was probably just too important.

I'm sure there are many people who will think I'm quite silly for making a big deal about the butchies taking a hiatus. Honestly I'm a bit suprised how much it has affected me also, but it shows how important they were in my life. Music has always been something that affects me deeply. The Butchies were the first queercore band I listened too and I fell in love immediately. They're the band that I dropped everything for to see in concert. I drove many hours sometimes, braved a tornadic storm once!, because my life was never more fun than at a show. I was able to let go of all the crap going on in my life and just merge with the music. And yes, there will be other bands and other shows, but…the butchies were special. It's just hard to describe without experiencing them.

So I've created my own little ritual to honor the kickass band they are, and to allow me to work through the idea that I will probably never see them in concert again. Today I wore my shirt and wristband, but I got spagetti sauce on my shirt so it's just the wristband for the next 2 days lol! It's a good thing they don't care what I look like when I teach so I don't get in trouble. That has to look really wierd, a punk kid teaching physics! lol, it's hilarious!

The way I see it now, there is a gaping hole left in the music world that needs to be filled. I personally have no idea what band will fill that hole for me. Any recommendations? I need a queer punk/rock band! Guess I'll just have to create my own. Just need to find the right people and keep practicing my drums so I don't suck! oh well, enough ranting. Need to get ready for bed.

The Butchies will be no more

The Butchies Rock News

My favorite band, probably of all time, is calling it, well, not quite quits, but a hiatus. Which is pretty similar, except more open ended. In any case, I'm quite sad right now. I've seen this band perform so many times. San Diego, CA in 2000, Louisville, KY in 2000?, Chicago, IL in 2001, Minneapolis, MN in 2001, 2oo2, 2004…and now, never again? I really thought this band would be one that would be around forever. Honestly, I can't see them not being the Butchies. No more albums? No more shows, at least that I can get to? AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

However, I understand the need to move on, and let them live their lives. Besides, I can hold out hope for reunion shows and such. Maybe my dream of having a band and opening for them one day can still come true? I'll keep dreaming so it can. At least Kaia is still making music, because I don't know how long I can go without a new Kaia fix! lol

I guess all that's left to say is, Good Luck everyone. I'm sure Kaia will be happier back in her home state, because I know how much I love being back home. I can't wait to hear Mel the drummer slut on some other albums. I still have much to learn from her. And good luck to Al, going back to pursue her PhD after all these years. I remember her mentioning that to me a few years ago at the first Minneapolis show, and I'm proud of her for returning to it. Let this be an example for everyone that you can choose to go different ways, even when things are going well.

Thanks for the tons of happy memories guys. I'll miss you.

[Boy on a Stick and Slither]

[Boy on a Stick and Slither]
This is so true…I love comics! And I love that I have a friend who cearly has too much time on his hands and sends me links like these! Too bad I am not artistically creative and can't make my own comic, they're so fun! Oh well, check this one out, it's priceless!

movies

Yesterday we watched Finding Neverland for the first time. I definately understand why it was up for so many awards now. It's a wonderful story that I hope everyone gets to see at some point. What I enjoyed most was seeing how much of an impact you can have by encouraging children to play and be creative. Do we encourage creativity much anymore? It doesn't seem like it. We certainly don't value creativity in adults, at least not if it gets in the way of earning a living and being responsible. It's just as crucial for adults to have fun as it is for children. I know this, but I often limit my own ideas of having fun and being silly. Would I ever think of painting my face, wearing a silly hat, and carrying a duck? lol, no, but I might now! So freeing…

We also watched the special features disk of A League of Their Own, which was hilarious! That movie has always held a special place in my heart, because it's based on real people. It always makes me want to go out and play baseball, which I rarely do anymore. The other interesting aspect of the movie is the behind the scenes stories. The movie was filmed mostly in Evansville, Indiana, my wife's hometown. I've driven past Bosse Field many times, so it's neat to see it in a movie. Apparently Evansville is none to fond of Madonna because of this movie. My wife told me that she offended the town by saying there was nothing to do there. I just laugh, because she's so right! There's basically nothing to do. In a town of 130,000, there's nothing. At night you can go to a bar, or walmart. And since people wouldn't leave them alone the few times they went out, I can see how life could get really boring to someone used to more activity. But in any case, many people still hold a grudge, which is sad. I'm certainly glad we didn't stay in Evansville for more than a year, or we'd be sucked into the black hole that happens when people are forced to work crappy jobs for little pay and can't escape the cycle.

We also watched Ocean's 12, even though we never saw Ocean's 11. It's a good fun movie, with plenty of laughs. No life changing moments or anything, but sometimes a good laugh is all I want from a movie. I think it's worth renting, but then again I didn't pay to rent it lol! Now I need to get to my homework and grading. I need to avoid the stress out I had last week, which means work my butt off on the weekend. Blah…someday I won't have to do this! lol, and it will all be worth it…

formerlyROSIE: GAY FOSTER MOM

formerlyROSIE: GAY FOSTER MOM

There are things that I read that once I am done I just stop. Everything stops, and all I can do is breathe, feeling the heaviness of what I have read. The first time was finishing Lord of the Flies in high school. A book that made me question the nature of humans, and children. And now, I can barely form words, typing slowly for once, struggling to describe…

Reading things like this, I am not angry, more stunned by reality. The reality that humans are capable of such evil, and such love. I just wonder how people can be so blinded by their illusions that this reality does not register with them. What do they see of the world? How do they feel when they hear these stories? Do they feel? How do they miss that it isn't gay parents and foster parents causing this abuse? How?

I know to combat hate with love. I just don't know how. It doesn't seem to matter, the hate contiues to grow, or at least get louder. We need to increase the love…

Good News!

Well, it seems I've had two pieces of good news today, thankfully! First, regarding my previous post, what Mr. Rodriguez has told me cheers me up and gives me hope. If there is enough sanity left in the legistlature, then this bill will not include the hateful anti-gay amendment. At this moment, protests are about to begin on the state capitol. I would be there if I didn't have class at 2. However I am with them in spirit and sending my energy their way. I believe we will be successful in this matter. I overhear people discussing this issue, not just queers, but other people without a vested personal interest. For instance in the union the three cashiers were discussing the topic, all of them apalled at the thought of taking kids out of good homes just because of an individuals sexuality. What also confused them was the amendment's sponsor saying that homosexuality was a learned behavior. How can it be learned? Almost every single gay person on the planet came from straight parents! I personally have straight parents, and never knew someone gay personally until I was in high school. I certainly never talked to anyone about sexuality, it really wasn't on my radar screen very often. And I came of age before I could watch openly gay characters on tv, not like today. So where did I learn it from? His comment was so off base I'm not even sure where it came from. But anyway, back to good news.

I had my meeting with Dr. Bengtson this morning. When I arrived there was another individual from the collaboration in there, Boris. Shortly after my arrival the phone rang. It was a woman telling them they got a $2 million grant! Boris said I was the reason they got it, that if I hadn't walked in the door she wouldn't have called! Lol, I thought that was amusing. With the new grant, Dr. Bengtson believes he'll have something for me to do for the summer, which wouldn't have been possible before that grant! This is a wonderful example of things lining up just right. For instance, if he hadn't been sick yesterday and delayed our meeting until today, he wouldn't have the grant yet. If I hadn't overslept and skipped my lab meeting I could have showed up too early to know about the grant. Hell, if I'd have talked to him at any point earlier in the semester this would have turned out differently. I'm very glad I paid attention to my gut and followed my instinct. Things are going to turn out just fine.

As a side note, I wonder how everything would have turned out differently had I not found the Jedi path 4 years ago? Would I have completely pushed the wrong issues, and destroyed the path I'm on now? Or would I have found myself here anyway? Lol, I guess it doesn't matter, but I'm sure thankful I'm on the path I am. Life is much more enjoyable when you walk with your path rather than against it.

Eddie Rodriguez’s email response

Ms. Meyer-

Thank you for your e-mail about Talton's amendment to SB 6 that would
ban gays and lesbians from becoming foster parents.

I am disgusted and appalled by this amendment. Not only does this
amendment legislate hate towards homosexuals, it also harms many of
Texas' most vulnerable children. The state foster care system is
already overburdened, and it is abhorrent that legislators would claim
that it is in the best interest of children to deny them the opportunity
to be part of a safe and loving family.

There's still hope-I have had personal conversations with both the House
sponsor and liaison from the Governor's office about taking Talton's
amendment out of the bill. As it stands right now, both the House and
Senate sponsors do not want it on the bill. Even the Governor released
a statement saying it "is not how we should be spending our time and
money". My hope is that the conference committee will decide to leave
this amendment out of the final version of SB 6.

It would be a tragedy if gays and lesbians felt they had to leave Texas
in order to be treated with dignity and granted their basic civil
rights. Radical hate tactics such as Talton's amendment are an insult
to our great state and shame us before the nation and the world. This
amendment is against everything I stand for, and I will continue to
fight passionately on behalf of the gay and lesbian community.

Thank you for sharing your personal concerns with me. My staff and I
welcome you to contact my office if you have any additional comments or
questions.

Eddie Rodriguez
State Representative

money

I really hate it when money issues catch up. Like when the car insurance is renewed and I have to start paying it again…and there isn't the money in the bank to cover it. I'm hoping the bank will cover it and I'll pay the fees because I don't want to go without insurance. The problem is that I don't know where the money to catch up will come from until june when I take out student loans again. I'm thinking about doing some temp work this summer to try to catch up, but it all depends on my schedule.

Tomorrow I ask Dr. Bengtson for a job over the summer. Pray he has one so I can focus on school and not working somewhere. Then I just work and take out the loans and we're perfectly fine. At least one good piece of news is that even without the RA job I will get instate tuition thanks to my McNair fellowship! Woohoo!

Anyway, I'm clearly not focused at all right now. I think I'll just cut my losses and head to bed, hopefully finish my book. I'm reading Daughter of the River by Hong Ying. It's a fascinating read about this woman's life growing up somewhere in China. I'm just fascinated by the lives these people led. I can't imagine such a difficult life. It puts true poverty in perspective. Most people in America have no clue what true poverty is. I'm not saying that people don't suffer, but the sheer numbers of people living this way, and the depths of their poverty is staggering. In spite of all that it's a good read. Definately broke up the school monotony a bit.