Firsts...

I'm experiencing a lot of firsts, it feels appropriate to share...

- Shorty's : I actually stepped both feet into this place. It was strangely comforting in it's seediness. I loved the sound of the pinball machines, and the fact that my shoes at one point were stuck to the floor. I also had the BEST Bloody Mary in my entire life. Definitely worth blogging about. And Yelping... I need to do that.

- I hung out with an ex girlfriend : On Friday night, I had dinner with my long lost ex. To some people in my life, this might be frightening, and for good reason, a lot of you were friends with me when I went through the relationship and breakup. But after 3 years, and minimal communication, it was like sharing a meal with a distant family member that you wish you saw more often. There was nothing weird, or unhealthy about it, and it was strangely comforting to prove myself wrong. That you CAN be friends with an ex. Maybe some ex's, maybe some relationships you just can't come back from. But as twisted as this one was, we were able to share a meal, and recap the last 3 years, and smile at the end of it. Sunday, I met her and her fiance at the dog park, and spent the better part of my afternoon with them. It was nice to see her so happy and so healthy, even if it wasn't with me. I felt nothing but complete love and joy for her. I think that's really something I needed to experience at this point. From now on, she isn't my ex, she's my friend.

- I bought a new phone : While this isn't honestly the FIRST phone I've ever purchased, it's the first one I liked and got a good deal on. After being anti-cell phone for the last 4 years, I realize if I'm to exist in the land of the technologically advanced, I need to have a phone. Not a prepaid phone, no no, an actual I-committed-to-a-2-year-contract-and-am-now-enslaved-to-tmobile kinda phone.

- I'm going to learn to ride a bike: The simplest of life's expressions is "It's as easy as riding a bike." Well my friends, I can't. So, I've never actually been able to use that analogy, and that's a problem. Long story short, I grew up in an overly populated area of CA and was not allowed to ride a bike in our apartment complex, so during my bike riding formidable years, I wasn't doing any bike riding. After that, you just don't want to try and end up biffing it in front of all your 6th grade friends. Probable embarrassment and injury aside, I'm going to do it. This weekend, as long as the skies don't open up and dump more snow.

So there it is, my weekend in black and white, typed out for your reading enjoyment. Come back soon to hear about my misadventures in adult bike riding. :)

*Deep Breath* Here we go again...

Well... life has changed. I'm not afraid of change, so I'm attempting to embrace it. And just take each day for what it is, one more step in another direction.

My Plans

* Camping - 4th of July in Chelan. I'm looking for other interested parties, I already have a site. Obviously, I'd like to go as much as possible... so more trips.

* A trip to the coast - Long Beach

* A trip down to Portland - Long overdue visit to see friends.

* KEXP BBQ - Yearly, can't stop now.

* LA Pride - Again, a long overdue visit to see friends, and experience Pride in a different city.

* SF Pride - If I'm lucky, this will pan out and I'll get to see Pride in SF as well.

* A trip to Chicago - I'm throwing around the idea of going in the autumn months.

I thank my friends, every last one of them, for being in my life, and loving me. I am a better person because of each of you.

Mrs. Wilson

:)

Our trip to Vancouver, BC to get married went perfectly. I'm so fortunate that the weather held out long enough for us to get married on the deck of our beautiful penthouse. The food, and booze was great, and we all had a fantastic time. I look forward to seeing all the pictures we took, as well as our friend's.

Just a quick blog to say thank you to those who made it... we love you.

Here comes the bride(s)....

10 days my friends.

10 days.

The wedding is just a little over a week away, and we are both getting crazy excited. I was surprised (or semi-surprised b/c Jenny can't keep a secret) on Tuesday with a dozen lavendar roses at work *sigh*... they are SO pretty. All the office birds are swooning over how pretty they are... I love it.

I've been tanning my ass off for a week and I've finally started to look like I live in a normal climate with regular exposure to the sun, as opposed to vacuum sealed in this office for the majority of my waking life. It looks nice, and will look even better with the white linen dress. Yay. Hopefully all the people that have RSVP'd will actually follow through and show up. I remember at my sister's wedding, a lot of people didn't, and it was a bummer b/c they could have potentially saved money. I think our wedding is so small it can't get any smaller. And if it could we'd say f*ck it and we'd just get hitched real quick and spend all the cash on a super vacation. But alas, we love our peeps, and will enjoy their company on our special day. And for coming they will be rewarded with food, and booze, and the awesome-ness of our company.

:)

On another note, I am impatiently anticipating the installation of my dual monitor set up at work. I am so special.

Peace and Love and see you at the wedding....

So long...

Today Im a little distracted. I feel like I can't sink my teeth into anything at work, iPod attached to my head, and all. A friend dropped a big bomb on me today, and I think it's made me a little sad, and kept my focus off of work.

After some deep contemplation my dear friend Soo is moving back to Korea. I'm hoping it's temporary but right now it's all up in the air. Soo.... cabin trips wont be the same without you.

Love you babe... my little ESL friend... and don't worry life's "a piece of pie"... :) You'll get it right.

Bitch, with a Capital B

I bought Bitch's Make This/Break This last night on iTunes, and I can't stop replaying it on my iPod. It's addictive. Almost the entire album is catchy and has an uptempo beat... combine that with insightful, politically charged powerful lyrics and a sprinkling of voilin throughout... and OMG.

"Baghdad lit up a green gold
Beat up by bullies with bombs, generations old
George Bush is as evil as....
It takes one, to know one..."

I heart her music. I've put her on my QF list, but who knows what the budget holds and if it'd be wise for the festival. But she's had a good couple years, a part in Shortbus (fabulously, twisted misfit movie), dating Daniela Sea from the L Word, and her recent production of Ferron's new album. Ah, dreams... we shall see.

Tonight, I have my first meeting of the Pride season with a local DJ and her business partner. Hopefully we can partner again, and bring in some good talent. Last year we brought in God-des and SHE, and this year maybe someone even better!

Sunday, I'm getting my hair did. FINALLY... I've gone as long as I can possibly go, and we're talkin' full foil maddness. It takes so long to get my hair done, my wonderful stylist has offered to come in ON A SUNDAY for me. *sigh* Gotta have love for the man who can tame the beast that is my hair!

My weeks are being consumed lately with large amounts of work. I think most people in general would complain about that, but I'm a little relieved. I've been treading water and hating it for a good 6 months. My job was super slow, and consisted of a few mindless activities a day. I started poking around for something else, and realized I'd be doing myself a disservice in the long run. So, I opted to stick it out, and just evolve what I currently do, and take on some additional stuff. The additional stuff is basically more work than I did in that entire 6 months. Good feeling, yes.

This weekend Jenny is taking a trip to DC to visit some friends, so I'm going to take advantage of my random Friday off to take care of some business, and play with our puppies. Saturday, Soo is going to come over for pizza and SATC, and maybe stay the night, have a little sleep over with the puppies and have breakfast on Sunday. I could use a girl's weekend. :)

In other news, I think I'm going to be voting for Hilary in the coming primary/election. I'm unsure where this originated from (and will have to research its authenticity) but it was particularly moving...

As I have traveled around the country these past twelve months, what I sensed in my heart has been confirmed – America is embracing its LGBT sons and daughters with an acceptance and understanding as never before. On the campaign trail, a father of a gay son will ask about ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A woman will ask why she can be discriminated against just because of who she is. Sometimes they wait furtively for the crowd to thin and then whisper their confidences in a soft voice and sometimes they stand up proudly at town meetings and want me to share my views on how I will help lead the change to assure that this country fulfills its promise to everyone.
Let me tell you what I have been telling voters across America. I am fully committed to the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans. For seven long years, the Bush Administration has tried to divide us - only seeing people who matter to them. It's been a government of the few, by the few, and for the few. And no community has been more invisible to this administration than the LGBT community.
I will change that. The best evidence of what I will do as President is what I have already done.
* I am proud of my record as First Lady, as a U.S. Senator and as a candidate for President in working toward the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans.* I am proud that as Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee in 2006, I worked closely with LBGT community to develop a smart strategy that defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment. I am proud of fighting the FMA as divisive wedge politics at its worst.* I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act which would grant the same benefits (including health insurance) to domestic partners of federal employees that are currently offered to employees’ legal spouses.* I am proud to have authored the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV, and fought to fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act.* I am proud that I hired a National Director of LGBT Outreach within a month of announcing my candidacy for President and to have openly gay and lesbian staffers serving at all levels of my campaign.* I am proud to have a National LGBT Steering Committee of over 130 that includes openly LGBT elected officials, Board members and opinion leaders on issues ranging from transgender rights, to HIV/AIDS, to “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.* I am proud to have marched in Gay Pride parades as both First Lady and as Senator and to have spoken in front of so many LGBT audiences ranging from the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.* I am proud to have fought Republican efforts to demonize and marginalize the LGBT community, and I will continue to do that as President.
We have so much work to do. When I am President, we will work together to make sure that all Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits and that nothing stands in the way of loving couples who want to adopt children in need. We're going to expand our federal hate crimes legislation and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and assure that they are both fully inclusive of all people. And finally, we will put an end to the failed policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice – the traits that define our men and women in uniform – have nothing to do with sexual orientation.
My father was a conservative Republican, who held very traditional views for much of his life. Yet in his last years, it was a gay couple who lived next door who provided much of the compassion and comfort he and my mother needed as he grew ill. And it was that same neighbor who held his hand as he died. If my father can move, America can move.
To each and every LGBT American, I say this. You have done so much to help this country understand your lives by simply being open and honest about who you are and living your lives with dignity. Thank you for your courage. It is time that we recognize your hard work. I know that this country is ready for changes in the law that reflect the evolution in our hearts.
America deserves a President who appeals to the best in each of us, not the worst; a President who values and respects all Americans and treats all Americans equally no matter who they are or who they love. I want to be that President. I want to be your President.