We have a charming tradition in our household of trading the responsibilities of making a toast before each meal. Tonight it was my turn but adequate words could not find their way out. As you know, I have spent the past few weeks taking stock of my priorities, goals and dreams. I wonder how many millions of Americans around me have been doing the same. We have been swept up in a tidal wave of global consciousness that we are riding into January 20th, 2009. There is no denying the electricity in the air. At times, I wasn’t so sure that I’d make it to this place with all my limbs… or at the very least- a majority of my mental facilities. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was riding in my new girlfriends Jeep when we turned onto 3rd Ave and faced a sea of protesters filling the streets. That was March 19th, 2003 as the president’s proclamation of war filled the airwaves.
But tonight, I look out my window into the deep fog that envelopes my beloved city and I feel that the haze will soon be lifting. And that tomorrow morning, it’s more than just another day that awaits. In that spirit, I raise my glass to a new era. To each and every individual out there that donated time to serve our communities today because I believe that is what shows America’s true colors. It’s what I find most promising right now- the prospect of ending the divisions that have been the centerpiece of the last eight years and moving beyond those petty barriers. Because we are not just blue or red, black or white, muslim or christian, queer or straight. We encompass all of those things and so, so much more. Cheers to the end of this era scarred by fear-mongering propaganda, religious extremism, social injustices and smothering deceit. Cheers to the dawn of a long awaited intellectual discourse among us all as we take on the enormous task of rebuilding our country. And of course, cheers to our soon-to-be-President Obama, for inspiring millions to again put power behind the words “by the people, for the people”.
Every year around this time, I typically take a break from blogging. There is something about the pace of the world around me during the holidazeâ„¢ that makes me want to slam on the brakes and just slow down. It’s a good time to reflect on the year we are leaving behind and begin to plan for the new year of adventures ahead. In that spirit, Lach and I have been thinking about some new goals and some new traditions of our own.
Mentally, I’ve been craving some new interactions. I’ve been participating in some local discussion groups for a while and am going to my first ever book club meeting tonight. I’m excited to meet some new people that I’ve only communicated with online. The current book up for discussion is The Zookeeper’s Wife. I haven’t read as much into it as I’d like to but hopefully I will have covered enough to participate.
Physically, It’s been nearly two months since I last bought a pack of cigarettes. I still crave them occasionally but it’s been a lot less painful than I would have ever imagined. Now that I have traversed that hurdle, I’m thinking more about getting the rest of me (especially the crooked part) in better shape. We have the perfect area in the basement with a weight bag already set up. Now, we just have to make a few adjustments to the space and our diet, then get on a routine.
Professionally, I don’t feel like I have any right to complain because I am one of the lucky Americans that is still employed. Even so, I feel like there is so much more meaningful work that I could be doing. I have gotten to this place many times in my career but it’s no longer feasible for me to drive to Mexico and then stay off the grid for a few months afterwards. I want to get my portfolio site put back together again but haven’t been able to find the time or the energy to give it what it deserves.
Creatively, I’m running on fumes. I have to admit that being an artistic being can be exhausting. No matter where I look, my eyes fill in the negative space. Every room I walk into I can see what I want to be there, reminding me of all the projects I have yet to complete. Working in the creative world makes it that much harder to find the mental capacity for my many not-for-profit creative endeavors.
Spiritually, I miss tending the garden and talking to the dirt (and my food) every day. (Ever seen the bumper sticker “Tree Hugging Dirt Worshiper”?) What can I say, I’m still a southerner at heart but with a NW passion for sole food. I think I would find the peace of mind that I seek, in finding a balance between all of the above and my desire to live more harmoniously with nature. It’s about time to plant some garlic to talk to through the winter.
So, don’t mind my absence while I spend some time realigning our priorities closer to where we want them to be. If I’m not around before then, I hope that you all have a wonderful Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah or Festivus as you so choose. Cheers!
With the recent passing of Prop 8, protests have erupted all over the country. I would liked to have been at the march here over the weekend but we had a late night Friday and damn, activists sure do get up early in the morning! That doesn’t negate the feeling of pride that I’ve had looking over the photos and seeing a huge rainbow flag peacefully marching through the streets of my city. It has felt like a new dawn approaching since November 4th and many of us are just wondering, what’s the next step?
I must admit that at first I was both excited and disappointed in Obama’s newly launched site, Change.gov. It was pretty miraculous to have a transition site launched in the time frame that they did it but I was discouraged to not see any LGBT issues on the 1.0 version of the agenda. Then the agenda disappeared altogether but alas it was only temporary.
I’m happy to report that the Civil Rights section now hosts several issues on the agenda that are very important to myself and other LGBT readers and supporters…
• Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell
• Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples & Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage (I assume this means that states would decide if there is a difference between a marriage and a union?)
• To pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
• Implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities.
• To strengthen federal hate crimes legislation and expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act.
Yes, we still have a long way to go but it certainly feels good that our country is beginning to recognize us as citizens, as people, and also recognizes SCIENCE as a vital part of our existence. We may have to fight the H8ters but we have the power of the hope and community on our side.
My honey is going to play soccer tonight so I think I’ll be heading down to a local brewery to watch the results drift in. That way, whether in celebration or in devastation, there will be plenty of beer nearby.
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