Raise a Glass if You're Wrong in All the Right Ways

Well hello from the corners of Busy and Notimesville.  It's been eons since I've posted.  And, I promise, after this rant; I'll post happy-go-lucky things.  But first..........


So, last night, I watched Glee.  For those under a rock, it's probably the best show in the WORLD!  I enjoy every minute of every episode.  So often, I find myself connecting with the stories and plot of the show.  The characters are so multi-faceted.  They may be an exaggeration of the typical stereotypes: the jock, the cheerleader, the goth, the "handi-capable"....well, whatever, but they all have one thing in common, they are outsiders.  I understand it's fiction but there is such poignancy amidst the light-hearted lines spoken (or sung) by the cast that I can't help but watch and applaud the writers.  Last night's episode was no different.


For those who haven't seen it or refuse to watch ( I know there are at least two of you out there), last night's episode was pretty deep.  Furt, the name of the episode, brought to a head a recurring plot.  The only openly gay teen at the school, Kurt, had been bullied and threatened for weeks.  The show highlighted his struggle and fear, the support of his friends and family, and the woefully pitiful inability of the public school system to protect him.


This plot is nothing new.  In recent weeks we've been inundated with pictures and stories of gay youth committing suicide because of bullying. It's horrific, and it's sad, and it's a shame that this awfulness is happening  Celebrities, politicians, and others have made videos reminding the youth that "IT GETS BETTER."  And now, I'm going to flip it and reverse it....why aren't we talking about EVERYONE who is bullied???  "Glee" for example has made it a point that their Glee members get slushied or made fun of for being different and choosing to sing but it's played for laughs.  They also make pushing Artie, who's in a wheelchair, down stairs a punch line.  Why is that okay? Last I checked, it's bullying. 

But enough about the fake world of Glee.  This is real life.  As a child I was bullied. Ask my parents, I made myself sick every Monday because I HATED going to school.  A Catholic school none-the-less.  Why was I bullied.  I wasn't gay.  But I was different.  I had glasses and bucked-teeth and, for some reason, that was a reason to pick on me. And you know what, I changed schools and it did get better and I'm a better person because of it.  As a teacher in a special education school, parent's refuse to send their kids for service because they'll be with "disabled" peers.  Isn't that the start of bullying, segregating and not tolerating those who are different.  And, I often find myself talking to parent's of 4-year-olds who are afraid because other kids of the SAME age are making fun of the way their child talks.  These same parents are also concerned about "labeling" their child with a disability because they don't want them to be bullied or recognized for being different as they get older.  It hurts my heart.

AND, last I checked this country was built on the foundation that bullying wouldn't be tolerated.  (I know, don't preach to me the fact that we turned it around and bullied the Native Americans, I get it, but go with me here) So we came here and created a Declaration of Independence and a Constitution that specifically states...ALL men are created equal.  We've fought wars because of bullying. Be it the injustice of slavery or civil rights, we fought to protect those that were different.  What happened to those principles along the way?  Why is intolerance and hate so prevalent now?  It makes me sad and disheartened.  But....

I hope, as time moves forward that ALL people have a voice who've been bullied and that ALL realize it WILL get better.  Be you Queer, Four-Eyes, Beanpole, Fatty, Retarded, Stupid, Whore, Ugly, Weird, Geek, Nerd, Nappy, Ashy, or whatever you were called in grade school...let's all stand up together and remind those that are being picked on now...that it does, in fact get better. 

UPRISING

Song of the Day: Muse's Uprising.


So, as many of you know I've made some great big purchases in the last year. Forget the mattress, and the washer/dryer, and the computer. I also bought a condo. As I entered the world of adulthood, I took on very adult responsibilities. I have a mortgage, and bills, and I now will have to pay them all on my own with no help from a roommate. When I ventured out on this new phase of my life, I did it with the knowledge that I'd have my salary from two jobs and felt very secure in that.

Well, over the past year and as recently as yesterday, my world has been rocked and I'm worried. Now, I'm VERY fortunate that I still have a job and can go to work everyday collecting a paycheck and have health insurance. However, because our economy has taken a turn for the worse, it's affecting my paycheck. We knew at the end of last year that our county's school system would be furloughing employees for four days. What does a furlough mean you ask? Well it means that we don't come to work for four days of the year and, because we don't come to work, we don't get paid. So, throughout our paychecks, we'll be taking a loss. Overall, it's between 1600-2000 in total. And now, yesterday we find out that we may not be receiving our differential as a special educator/speech therapist. This differential accounts for another 2500-3000 a year. So, in total I may be losing close to 5000 this year.

When I signed that lease, it was one of the happiest days of my life, now I'm concerned that I'll be able to pay the mortgage. I know some people think that cutting back on eating out and going to bars seems like an easy solution, but it's not. Five thousand dollars is a lot to lose. I was wracked with worry last night and found myself tossing and turning and then staring at the ceiling into the wee hours of the night. I wanted to be able to prove that I can do this on my own. But, perhaps I'll need a roommate. Or maybe I'll need a third job. Holidays are coming up and I worry about Christmas presents and then there are incidentals. Car maintenance, home improvements, medical bills. I don't know if I'm being dramatic, but I'm not sure others understand the gravity of this situation.

I balance this knowledge, again with the fact that I have a job. Some way, I have an income that I'll scrape by with. I could be much less fortunate. I know this. A wise woman once told me "put your problems in a basket with everyone else's, you'll pull yours right back out." I hold onto that thought while I await my first paycheck and figure out how to stretch those dollars.

Dominoes

I'm always amazed with the way time moves.  Like dominoes falling in a row, the days fall away and it's now August.  It's the eighth month of the year, leaning toward Autumn and I'm astounded with the pace at which it all happened.  The year has brought so many changes and they've been fantastic.  A new home and outlook on life at the forefront!  That and the opportunity to connect with friends new and old.

July went by in a flash.  The Gough family got to reconnect for the party of the year, as my cousin got married.  It's always such a pleasure to see everyone and catch-up in such a great atmosphere.  There were other parties...birthday, engagement.......all fun of course!  Alyson and Megan have moved to Canton, I've purchased a new washer/dryer and mattress set.  Oh, and a new computer.  There's been shopping and lunches and work and relaxation.  A truly wonderful month of rejuvination and gearing up for the next school year.

I'm truly blessed to have such great things help pass the time.  To those who've been there along the way, thank you!

It is the company, not the cooking, that makes the meal!

I had a most excellent weekend.  Shannon came to visit on Saturday.  We hung out in old Ellicott City, eating outside, drinking adult beverages, and shopping in the adorable antique shops.  After that, Alyson, Megan, and I went to Nobles and had a few more adult beverages.  Sunday though, oh Sunday....I had the pleasure of having a grown up meal in my new home. Kathy, Elvi, and the sisters all came over to have some food and drink some wine and Champagne.  So, picture time! Everything starts with two sticks of butter, some donuts, and good company.  Picture time!

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme

It's a lovely Sunday afternoon and I'm lounging on the couch, procrastinating.  It's really easy to stare at my walls and zone out.  I start to open my work bag and then my mind wanders and I think "that picture would look lovely over there........."   There went a half-an-hour!

It's been a great weekend though.  I was fortunate enough to attend "the Foodie Experience" at the Hippodrome with Lindsey last night.  There, we saw Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert discuss food and travel.  They are two very cool, very well-versed guys who made us laugh out loud with some of their more ribald tales!  After, we got to actually experience food from many of the different restaurants in the area.  Gotta say, there is nothing better than taste-testing some of the top food coming out of this area.  Be it the Sea bass with ginger from Portalli's or the AWESOME Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding from Ale Mary's....delicious!

Today, I putted around in my garden.  The seller of my condo left a lovely work space for herbs and flowers and I took advantage of the containers he left to plant a few things.  Now, I cannot claim to be a gardener or have a clue to what I am doing, but, hopefully in a couple of weeks time I'll have some lovely things to cut and cook with.  I planted rosemary, oregano, parsley, dill, basil, cilantro, and lavender.   I hope that they all sprout up and the lovely scents will waft through my open windows!  I'll keep you posted.

Oh, and I'll post pictures soon of my new home.  I promise!

Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?" ~ Thornton Wilder, Our Town

Ah, time and the minutes tick by. As they do, it's hard to sit and capture the moments on paper. It's been since October since I last sat and wrote down the minutiae of my life. It's as if nothing has happened. But, in reality so much has. So, I present to you a list:

1) Maggie has a lovely baby boy named Neil.
2) Shannon has a lovely baby boy named Ryan. (she's asked me to be the godmother)
3) Thanksgiving has come and gone
4) So has Christmas
5) And New Year's, and Valentine's Day, and Easter........

In that time, I've also had the immense stress and pleasure to find myself a new home. Lindsey and I, while remaining great friends, have parted ways. She to live with her lovely boyfriend Brian, and me to my own home. Yup, I've bought a house. As I sit typing, I'm looking at my lovely green walls and the furniture Megan just rearranged. It's a great feeling to call some place my own.

Lastly, I have to say goodbye to my Aunt Margaretta. She had the extreme misfortune of battling ALS for the better part of a year. While I am sad that she has passed, I hope she's in a better place. I wouldn't wish such an awful illness on anyone.

There will be more, and pictures to follow.