Poppy Z. Brite's Blog, page 64
June 15, 2011
Sandhill Crane Hunt in Kentucky
Reprinted in its entirety from the LJ feed of Julie Zickfoose. I just e-mailed Governor Beshear and I hope you'll take a moment to do so too. If you have a Kentucky connection, it might be helpful to say so (I mentioned that most of my family is from there and I hate to see this going on in my ancestors' home). I am not opposed to all hunting, particularly for food, but I am opposed to the predation of such a recently threatened bird. - PZB
===============================================
http://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com/2011/06/kentuckys-crane-hunt.html
For those of you who've been following the drama unfolding in Kentucky regarding a sandhill crane hunt, there's bad news. An eight-member commission unanimously approved the hunt proposal in early June. Which wasn't a surprise, since everyone on the commission is a hunter. Thousands of letters and emails of protest apparently fell on deaf ears. Not surprising, but certainly disappointing. Shooting could start as early as mid-December 2011.
However.
Kentucky's wildlife offices have been flooded with protests, whether written, telephoned or emailed. It's probably of little use to further bombard Commissioner Jon Gassett with your good letters. Go ahead and check out his company, Southern Wildlife Resources LLC . Now, I don't know much about conflict of interest or what taxpayer-paid state employees should or shouldn't be doing on their own time, but it looks to me as if he's offering the same services his Department of Fish and Wildlife does, only for personal profit. Brokering land to hunters, hooking them up with guide services...all for a fee. It isn't hard even for a simple bird painter to divine that Commissioner Gassett stands to gain financially from a crane hunt in Kentucky. No wonder his state office answering machine has a message on it expounding on the delicious meat of the sandhill crane. No, let's not write any more letters to Dr. Gassett. That dog don't hunt. Or rather, he does.
How about writing the Governor? And how about taking a few minutes to do it now? Here's an easy, quick link to a comment form on Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's web site. He'll be deciding on the proposal TODAY, June 15. Let's give him a respectful little burst of opposition, huh?
http://www.governor.ky.gov/contact/contact.htm
Photo by Cyndi Routledge
These birds belong to all of us, not just a few hundred gunmen. Why should they get to unilaterally decide that the sandhill crane will be a game bird in Kentucky?
We must make our voices heard.
As always, thank you for caring. And especially for acting.
===============================================
http://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com/2011/06/kentuckys-crane-hunt.html
For those of you who've been following the drama unfolding in Kentucky regarding a sandhill crane hunt, there's bad news. An eight-member commission unanimously approved the hunt proposal in early June. Which wasn't a surprise, since everyone on the commission is a hunter. Thousands of letters and emails of protest apparently fell on deaf ears. Not surprising, but certainly disappointing. Shooting could start as early as mid-December 2011.
However.
Kentucky's wildlife offices have been flooded with protests, whether written, telephoned or emailed. It's probably of little use to further bombard Commissioner Jon Gassett with your good letters. Go ahead and check out his company, Southern Wildlife Resources LLC . Now, I don't know much about conflict of interest or what taxpayer-paid state employees should or shouldn't be doing on their own time, but it looks to me as if he's offering the same services his Department of Fish and Wildlife does, only for personal profit. Brokering land to hunters, hooking them up with guide services...all for a fee. It isn't hard even for a simple bird painter to divine that Commissioner Gassett stands to gain financially from a crane hunt in Kentucky. No wonder his state office answering machine has a message on it expounding on the delicious meat of the sandhill crane. No, let's not write any more letters to Dr. Gassett. That dog don't hunt. Or rather, he does.
How about writing the Governor? And how about taking a few minutes to do it now? Here's an easy, quick link to a comment form on Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's web site. He'll be deciding on the proposal TODAY, June 15. Let's give him a respectful little burst of opposition, huh?
http://www.governor.ky.gov/contact/contact.htm
Photo by Cyndi Routledge
These birds belong to all of us, not just a few hundred gunmen. Why should they get to unilaterally decide that the sandhill crane will be a game bird in Kentucky?
We must make our voices heard.
As always, thank you for caring. And especially for acting.
Dumbass LJ Survey
Because I feel like doing something mindless to put off scooping the litterboxes.
WHAT WAS YOUR:
1. last beverage = tapwater
2. last phone call = my mom
3. last text message = Chris
4. last show you watched = NBA playoffs
5. last time you cried = yesterday, about the idea of Amsterdam's coffeeshops being closed down. Shut up.
HAVE YOU EVER:
6. dated someone twice = no
7. been cheated on = probably
8. kissed someone & regretted it = yes
9. lost someone special = yes
10. been depressed = yes
11. been drunk and threw up = yes
LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS
12. purple
13. green
14. gold
THIS YEAR HAVE YOU:
15. Made a new friend = maybe
16. Fallen out of love = no
17. Laughed until you cried = yes
18. Met someone who changed you = not yet, but I expect to.
19. Found out who your true friends were = sort of
20. Found out someone was talking about you = no
21. Kissed anyone on your friends list = yes (Chris)
GENERAL:
22. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life = 52
24. Do you have any pets = 24
25. Do you want to change your name = kinda, but I'm not planning to
26. What did you do for your last birthday = had birthday cake and got presents. Was supposed to go out to dinner, but ran out of spoons.
28. What were you doing at midnight last night = listening to Billy Joel on my iPhone
29. Name something you can't wait for = upcoming trip to Amsterdam
30. Last time you saw your Mother = a couple of hours ago
31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life = I'd have more money so I could buy the house across the street for my mom
32. What are you listening to right now = our haunted clothes dryer beeping
33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom = yes
34. What's getting on your nerves right now = the dryer
35. Most visited webpage = probably my LJ
36. Where do you want to be right now? = Amsterdam
37. Nicknames = Doc, Sir, P, docbrite, Sucky P (my rap name)
38. Relationship Status = married
39. Zodiac sign = Gemini
40. Male or female? = male
41. Elementary? = yes
42. Middle School = fuck it
44. Hair color = dark brown with some gray
45. Long or short = short
46. Height = 5'1" :-(
47. Do you have a crush on someone? = just a couple of random celebrities
48: What do you like about yourself? = I read a lot and can grow some vegetables.
49. Piercings = Right ear, nipples
50. Tattoos = 6
FIRSTS :
52. First surgery = none except wisdom teeth out/root canal
53. First piercing = ears, age 12
54. First best friend = Connie Eason
55. First kiss = Jonathan Martin, 7th grade
56. First vacation = From New Orleans to Diamondhead, Mississippi
58. First crush = Templeton the rat
RIGHT NOW:
59. Eating = nothing
60. Drinking = water
61. I'm about to = resume my quest for the Shit Tower
62. Listening to = Didn't we already have this one? The dryer stopped beeping and it's as quiet as it gets with Chris and cats around.
63. Wait for = Amsterdam
YOUR FUTURE :
64. Want kids? = Hell no
65. Get Married? = already am
66. Career? = writer/gardener/bum
WHICH IS BETTER
67. Lips or eyes = eyes
68. Hugs or kisses = both
69. Shorter or taller = taller
70. Older or Younger = older
71. Romantic or spontaneous = what? Are these things opposed?
72. Nice stomach or nice arms = arms. THE SAUTÉ MUSCLE ♥♥♥
73. Sensitive or loud = ugh
74. Hook-up or Relationship = both have their advantages, but at this point in my life, relationship
75. Trouble maker or hesitant = kinda both
HAVE YOU EVER :
76. Kissed a stranger = yes
77. Drank hard liquor = yes
78. Lost glasses/contacts = no
79. Sex on first date = yes
80. Broken someone's heart = yes
81. Had your own heart broken = yes
82. Been arrested = yes
83. Turned someone down = yes
84. Cried when someone died = yes
85. Fallen for a friend? = yes
DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
86. Yourself = I try
87. Miracles = sure
88. Love at first sight = yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time
89. Heaven = I hope
90. Santa Claus = yes
91. Kiss on the first date = yes
92. Angels = hate 'em
ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
93. Ever liked someone who wasn't single? = yes
94. Do you drink often? = not lately
95. Did you sing today? = yes
96. Ever cheated on somebody? = yes
97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go, and why? = New Orleans, mid-1960s, to see if I could save John Kennedy Toole somehow
98. If you could pick a day and relive it, what would it be? = this perfect day I spent with Chris in ... 2003? It was no big deal; we just drove to the north shore, went to the U-See-Em in Abita Springs, then had a couple of beers and the world's best hot wings at the Abita Brew Pub. It was fall and the vegetable stand across from the pub had pumpkins. There was a gorgeous sunset as we drove back across the Causeway. Then we went to an obscure local political debate (Rosalind Peychaud/Jalila Jefferson, running for state rep in a district we didn't live in), which at the time was one of my very favorite things to do and Chris would hardly ever go with me.
99. Are you afraid of falling in love with somebody? = no
100. Will you title this note 100 truths? = no
WHAT WAS YOUR:
1. last beverage = tapwater
2. last phone call = my mom
3. last text message = Chris
4. last show you watched = NBA playoffs
5. last time you cried = yesterday, about the idea of Amsterdam's coffeeshops being closed down. Shut up.
HAVE YOU EVER:
6. dated someone twice = no
7. been cheated on = probably
8. kissed someone & regretted it = yes
9. lost someone special = yes
10. been depressed = yes
11. been drunk and threw up = yes
LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS
12. purple
13. green
14. gold
THIS YEAR HAVE YOU:
15. Made a new friend = maybe
16. Fallen out of love = no
17. Laughed until you cried = yes
18. Met someone who changed you = not yet, but I expect to.
19. Found out who your true friends were = sort of
20. Found out someone was talking about you = no
21. Kissed anyone on your friends list = yes (Chris)
GENERAL:
22. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life = 52
24. Do you have any pets = 24
25. Do you want to change your name = kinda, but I'm not planning to
26. What did you do for your last birthday = had birthday cake and got presents. Was supposed to go out to dinner, but ran out of spoons.
28. What were you doing at midnight last night = listening to Billy Joel on my iPhone
29. Name something you can't wait for = upcoming trip to Amsterdam
30. Last time you saw your Mother = a couple of hours ago
31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life = I'd have more money so I could buy the house across the street for my mom
32. What are you listening to right now = our haunted clothes dryer beeping
33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom = yes
34. What's getting on your nerves right now = the dryer
35. Most visited webpage = probably my LJ
36. Where do you want to be right now? = Amsterdam
37. Nicknames = Doc, Sir, P, docbrite, Sucky P (my rap name)
38. Relationship Status = married
39. Zodiac sign = Gemini
40. Male or female? = male
41. Elementary? = yes
42. Middle School = fuck it
44. Hair color = dark brown with some gray
45. Long or short = short
46. Height = 5'1" :-(
47. Do you have a crush on someone? = just a couple of random celebrities
48: What do you like about yourself? = I read a lot and can grow some vegetables.
49. Piercings = Right ear, nipples
50. Tattoos = 6
FIRSTS :
52. First surgery = none except wisdom teeth out/root canal
53. First piercing = ears, age 12
54. First best friend = Connie Eason
55. First kiss = Jonathan Martin, 7th grade
56. First vacation = From New Orleans to Diamondhead, Mississippi
58. First crush = Templeton the rat
RIGHT NOW:
59. Eating = nothing
60. Drinking = water
61. I'm about to = resume my quest for the Shit Tower
62. Listening to = Didn't we already have this one? The dryer stopped beeping and it's as quiet as it gets with Chris and cats around.
63. Wait for = Amsterdam
YOUR FUTURE :
64. Want kids? = Hell no
65. Get Married? = already am
66. Career? = writer/gardener/bum
WHICH IS BETTER
67. Lips or eyes = eyes
68. Hugs or kisses = both
69. Shorter or taller = taller
70. Older or Younger = older
71. Romantic or spontaneous = what? Are these things opposed?
72. Nice stomach or nice arms = arms. THE SAUTÉ MUSCLE ♥♥♥
73. Sensitive or loud = ugh
74. Hook-up or Relationship = both have their advantages, but at this point in my life, relationship
75. Trouble maker or hesitant = kinda both
HAVE YOU EVER :
76. Kissed a stranger = yes
77. Drank hard liquor = yes
78. Lost glasses/contacts = no
79. Sex on first date = yes
80. Broken someone's heart = yes
81. Had your own heart broken = yes
82. Been arrested = yes
83. Turned someone down = yes
84. Cried when someone died = yes
85. Fallen for a friend? = yes
DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
86. Yourself = I try
87. Miracles = sure
88. Love at first sight = yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time
89. Heaven = I hope
90. Santa Claus = yes
91. Kiss on the first date = yes
92. Angels = hate 'em
ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
93. Ever liked someone who wasn't single? = yes
94. Do you drink often? = not lately
95. Did you sing today? = yes
96. Ever cheated on somebody? = yes
97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go, and why? = New Orleans, mid-1960s, to see if I could save John Kennedy Toole somehow
98. If you could pick a day and relive it, what would it be? = this perfect day I spent with Chris in ... 2003? It was no big deal; we just drove to the north shore, went to the U-See-Em in Abita Springs, then had a couple of beers and the world's best hot wings at the Abita Brew Pub. It was fall and the vegetable stand across from the pub had pumpkins. There was a gorgeous sunset as we drove back across the Causeway. Then we went to an obscure local political debate (Rosalind Peychaud/Jalila Jefferson, running for state rep in a district we didn't live in), which at the time was one of my very favorite things to do and Chris would hardly ever go with me.
99. Are you afraid of falling in love with somebody? = no
100. Will you title this note 100 truths? = no
June 13, 2011
Gay Shirts
From: AFA Action Alert <contact@afa.net>
Subject: Old Navy selling 'gay' shirts - donates profits to activists
Old Navy selling 'gay' shirts - donates profits to activists
How would you feel if you knew that 10% of your Old Navy purchase would be donated directly to a homosexual activist organization?
June 10, 2011
Dear Poppy,
Old Navy is now selling "gay pride" T-shirts in support of President Obama's proclamation designating June as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month."
Old Navy's rainbow T-shirts are part of its "Love Proudly: Pride 2011" campaign. The shirts reportedly went on sale June 1 and will be available at select stores throughout the country. Old Navy is donating 10 percent of the proceeds to the "It Gets Better Project," a pro-LGBT campaign.
The T-shirt designs include a white shirt with "Love Proudly" written in the colors of the rainbow, and a black shirt with rainbow-colored stripes.
According to reports, the T-shirts are being sold at some Old Navy stores until the end of June or until supplies r
run out. Old Navy is already saying they may increase the number of stores next year.
TAKE ACTION
Homosexual activists are encouraging Old Navy to carry more 'gay' shirts in more stores next year.
Let Old Navy president Tim Wyatt know his decision to engage in corporate promotion and financial support of homosexuality is a bad idea, considering the number of mothers buying summer and back-to-school clothes.
Send your letter to Old Navy now!
It is very important that you forward this alert to your friends and family members.
Sincerely,
Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association
------------------------------------------------------
Dear Tim,
Long time no write! Thanks so much for letting me know about these cool shirts so I can get one and tell my friends about them too! I really appreciate your keeping me apprised of what businesses are dedicated to equality, because I don't keep up with these things as well as I should and I might miss the chance to support them if you didn't let me know.
Love,
PZB
Subject: Old Navy selling 'gay' shirts - donates profits to activists
Old Navy selling 'gay' shirts - donates profits to activists
How would you feel if you knew that 10% of your Old Navy purchase would be donated directly to a homosexual activist organization?
June 10, 2011
Dear Poppy,
Old Navy is now selling "gay pride" T-shirts in support of President Obama's proclamation designating June as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month."
Old Navy's rainbow T-shirts are part of its "Love Proudly: Pride 2011" campaign. The shirts reportedly went on sale June 1 and will be available at select stores throughout the country. Old Navy is donating 10 percent of the proceeds to the "It Gets Better Project," a pro-LGBT campaign.
The T-shirt designs include a white shirt with "Love Proudly" written in the colors of the rainbow, and a black shirt with rainbow-colored stripes.
According to reports, the T-shirts are being sold at some Old Navy stores until the end of June or until supplies r
run out. Old Navy is already saying they may increase the number of stores next year.
TAKE ACTION
Homosexual activists are encouraging Old Navy to carry more 'gay' shirts in more stores next year.
Let Old Navy president Tim Wyatt know his decision to engage in corporate promotion and financial support of homosexuality is a bad idea, considering the number of mothers buying summer and back-to-school clothes.
Send your letter to Old Navy now!
It is very important that you forward this alert to your friends and family members.
Sincerely,
Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association
------------------------------------------------------
Dear Tim,
Long time no write! Thanks so much for letting me know about these cool shirts so I can get one and tell my friends about them too! I really appreciate your keeping me apprised of what businesses are dedicated to equality, because I don't keep up with these things as well as I should and I might miss the chance to support them if you didn't let me know.
Love,
PZB
Uh Oh
Dutch government to ban tourists from cannabis shops by end of year
It's very hard to believe this will happen in Amsterdam given all the cannabis-based businesses -- not just coffeeshops, but head shops, seed shops, grow shops, museums, souvenir joints (hee), hotels, and probably some others I'm not thinking of. Still, things have changed a lot since I started going there in 1994. For instance, the amount of weed that can be in food items (hash cake, etc.) is now so heavily regulated that if I wanted to write a story where Rickey and G-man opened a cannabis restaurant in Amsterdam, I'd have to set it like ten years ago. And ten years ago they were busy opening Liquor in New Orleans, so it would have to be an alternate universe. And as long as it's going to be an alternate universe, I may as well populate the canals with intelligent giant squid. And 57 moons. And Billy Joel lives there and is their friend.
... Maybe they're right and cannabis does destroy the brain. Too late for me, though. Anyway, I think Amsterdam will resist this as long as possible, but as I said when I was planning this trip, the writing may be on the wall and it says THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS. I could probably find a local to sign up for me -- I'd make it worth their while -- but my three favorite coffeeshops are probably the three most popular ones in Amsterdam (leaving out the ripoff Bulldog chain where the frat types go) and I imagine the memberships would sell out fast. And I accept no substitutes. And anyway it wouldn't be the same. The pleasure isn't just in smoking; the pleasure is in walking around and being able to do stuff and stopping for a smoke whenever I get tired or sore. It's not just a vacation for me; it's a vacation from pain. I always thought it seemed too good to be true.
Crud crud crud.
Thank God I've got one last hurrah coming up, anyway. This is going to be a bittersweet trip.
It's very hard to believe this will happen in Amsterdam given all the cannabis-based businesses -- not just coffeeshops, but head shops, seed shops, grow shops, museums, souvenir joints (hee), hotels, and probably some others I'm not thinking of. Still, things have changed a lot since I started going there in 1994. For instance, the amount of weed that can be in food items (hash cake, etc.) is now so heavily regulated that if I wanted to write a story where Rickey and G-man opened a cannabis restaurant in Amsterdam, I'd have to set it like ten years ago. And ten years ago they were busy opening Liquor in New Orleans, so it would have to be an alternate universe. And as long as it's going to be an alternate universe, I may as well populate the canals with intelligent giant squid. And 57 moons. And Billy Joel lives there and is their friend.
... Maybe they're right and cannabis does destroy the brain. Too late for me, though. Anyway, I think Amsterdam will resist this as long as possible, but as I said when I was planning this trip, the writing may be on the wall and it says THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS. I could probably find a local to sign up for me -- I'd make it worth their while -- but my three favorite coffeeshops are probably the three most popular ones in Amsterdam (leaving out the ripoff Bulldog chain where the frat types go) and I imagine the memberships would sell out fast. And I accept no substitutes. And anyway it wouldn't be the same. The pleasure isn't just in smoking; the pleasure is in walking around and being able to do stuff and stopping for a smoke whenever I get tired or sore. It's not just a vacation for me; it's a vacation from pain. I always thought it seemed too good to be true.
Crud crud crud.
Thank God I've got one last hurrah coming up, anyway. This is going to be a bittersweet trip.
Flowers On The Wall
I first heard this old country song at my paternal grandmother's house in Whitesville, Kentucky when I was about eight. I sort of liked it even though (or maybe because) it creeped me out a little, especially since I first thought they were saying "Dancing flowers on the wall." All these years later, I realize it is the perfect theme song for an agoraphobe.
"Flowers On The Wall"
I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happiness
But all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess
If I was walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none
While you and your friends are worried about me I'm havin' lots of fun
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town
As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine
You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
Don't tell me I've nothin' to dooooooo
- The Statler Brothers
"Flowers On The Wall"
I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happiness
But all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess
If I was walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none
While you and your friends are worried about me I'm havin' lots of fun
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town
As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine
You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
Don't tell me I've nothin' to dooooooo
- The Statler Brothers
June 11, 2011
Domestic Problems
House is a mess = CAPOS (Can't Ask People Over Syndrome)
22 cats = CATBOS (Can't Ask Tweety Bird Over Syndrome)
Planted giant sunflowers = CASKOS (Can't Ask Stephen King Over Syndrome)
22 cats = CATBOS (Can't Ask Tweety Bird Over Syndrome)
Planted giant sunflowers = CASKOS (Can't Ask Stephen King Over Syndrome)
June 7, 2011
Cats, Dreams, & Bingo Cards
About 7/8 asleep last night, I decided that I could not go on my trip because there are now three separate cat feeding stations in the house and I didn't think Chris could handle it. Awake now, I think he can probably deal. He'll never be as efficient at home as he is at the restaurant, but if he can keep track of 35 dishes that need to go to 12 different tables, I expect this, too, is within his skill set.
Re: the Bingo card I posted yesterday: 1) I didn't make it; someone named Avery Dame did (see bottom of card). I just ganked it off the internetz. You can share it with anyone you want, of course; just please include the attribution. 2) Several people mentioned that they could imagine themselves asking some of the questions on the card. Nothing wrong with that, as long as seeing the question on the card made you think about why it might be offensive/inappropriate. Even members of a minority aren't magically born knowing everything about our conditions and oppressions. I still sometimes fuck up and say "biological man/woman" (considered offensive by trans people because we're all "biological"; female- or male-assigned at birth, or FAAB/MAAB, is generally preferred). I don't have enough energy to write the impassioned thing I was going to, but basically I think ignorance about a social issue is excusable as long as you're open to educating yourself and apologizing when you fuck up.
By the way, there are Bingo cards out there for almost every race/gender/sexuality/able-bodiedness/etc.-based set of oppressions*. Some of them are pretty funny. If there's a particular one you want, Google and you'll probably find it.
*I'm still self-conscious about using some of these social justice buzzwords. "Oppression" in particular makes me feel like Rik being the People's Poet (hence icon), but it's what people say these days and it's basically what it is. I give you my word, though, that I will never declare myself "empowered."
Re: the Bingo card I posted yesterday: 1) I didn't make it; someone named Avery Dame did (see bottom of card). I just ganked it off the internetz. You can share it with anyone you want, of course; just please include the attribution. 2) Several people mentioned that they could imagine themselves asking some of the questions on the card. Nothing wrong with that, as long as seeing the question on the card made you think about why it might be offensive/inappropriate. Even members of a minority aren't magically born knowing everything about our conditions and oppressions. I still sometimes fuck up and say "biological man/woman" (considered offensive by trans people because we're all "biological"; female- or male-assigned at birth, or FAAB/MAAB, is generally preferred). I don't have enough energy to write the impassioned thing I was going to, but basically I think ignorance about a social issue is excusable as long as you're open to educating yourself and apologizing when you fuck up.
By the way, there are Bingo cards out there for almost every race/gender/sexuality/able-bodiedness/etc.-based set of oppressions*. Some of them are pretty funny. If there's a particular one you want, Google and you'll probably find it.
*I'm still self-conscious about using some of these social justice buzzwords. "Oppression" in particular makes me feel like Rik being the People's Poet (hence icon), but it's what people say these days and it's basically what it is. I give you my word, though, that I will never declare myself "empowered."
June 6, 2011
Trans Bingo
I suppose bingo cards are old hat, but I've just been having so many more opportunities to play this wonderful game lately.
[ETA: I imagine every trans person would have hir own additions to this card. Myself, I'm wondering where the "OMG it's teh MUTILATION!!!" square got to.]
[ETA: I imagine every trans person would have hir own additions to this card. Myself, I'm wondering where the "OMG it's teh MUTILATION!!!" square got to.]
June 3, 2011
Oops
Oh, dear. While I wasn't looking, my treacherous hands seem to have logged onto my favorite travel site and booked a trip to Amsterdam next month. Whatever shall I do. Of course, I am only willing to make this sacrifice because Chris wants some more aged Gouda with cloves and we've never seen it for sale outside the Netherlands. Supply run for the Green Goddess, don't you know.
I've sent inquiries to several known smoke-friendly hotels, but may seek further help if they don't pan out. And thanks to all the equally self-sacrificing folks who offered to accompany me, but I'm very much in the mood for a solo getaway.
It's that damn song "Vienna," you know (the Billy Joel one, not the Ultravox one, though I love it too). Had I never heard that song, I don't think I'd be compelled to go to Amsterdam nearly as often as I do. Billy should pay my travel expenses, dammit.
In addition to the pictures I posted earlier, I also planted yellow squash this morning. It will probably drop its blossoms and get stem rot because it's so late in the season, but the seedlings were on sale at Lowe's and I thought what the hell.
I've sent inquiries to several known smoke-friendly hotels, but may seek further help if they don't pan out. And thanks to all the equally self-sacrificing folks who offered to accompany me, but I'm very much in the mood for a solo getaway.
It's that damn song "Vienna," you know (the Billy Joel one, not the Ultravox one, though I love it too). Had I never heard that song, I don't think I'd be compelled to go to Amsterdam nearly as often as I do. Billy should pay my travel expenses, dammit.
In addition to the pictures I posted earlier, I also planted yellow squash this morning. It will probably drop its blossoms and get stem rot because it's so late in the season, but the seedlings were on sale at Lowe's and I thought what the hell.
Garden Pix
Some time ago I promised to post garden photos. Of course, the next day my camera broke. Here are a few from my iPhone.
Vincas
Purple pepper
Eggplant (lots of these coming -- yum!)
Succulent box (I made it this morning)
Succulent shelf
Vincas
Purple pepper
Eggplant (lots of these coming -- yum!)
Succulent box (I made it this morning)
Succulent shelf
