Golden apples from a dark garden...

YES.

Several someones.

I started keeping a LiveJournal account and the insistence of friends. I'd been keeping journals for years and years, and had started using my PC for journaling as well. I liked the idea that LJ could give me more storage space, and that it was, in many ways, more portable than a paper journal, and more stable than storing a journal as PC files... having had a few computers age out ungraciously and learning what that does to one's archive, I decided it was a good idea.

I was nervous about sharing information, but as time went by, LJ became a useful way to keep up with and keep track of dear friends who were traveling, who had moved far away, or were going through life transitions - I would at least know what town they were in and if they were basically OK or not. I liked that.

When I started this, I was trying to decided how I felt about a relationship I as in... I did NOT want my partner to read my LJ, or even know that I knew what a blog was. He knew I write a lot, but I didn't enjoy sharing my writing with him any better than I did some of the things that were causing me to re-evaluate that relationship. We're still friends, but that's largely because I decided to break off the intimate part of our relationship. LJ was something I had assigned to my personal/intellectual mental space, and I'm glad I didn't have to endure a critique of everything I put into my LJ whenever I saw him - I'm pretty sure I'd be on death row if I had.

I don't think people I work with (when I'm working) need to read my journal. When I started this, a friend of mine who happened to be the HR manager where I worked found out I had an LJ account and "friended" me. I was really worried about that. Even though *she* is a great friend, I was worried that if I needed to vent it might put her in an uncomfortable professional situation. I learned about filters. After a while, she moved on to a different employer. That worked out because she was a great person, but I don't think it would have been a good thing if it had been anyone other than her.

I doubly don't think people I am related to need to read my LJ. I have relatives. I have a family - of choice. They are not the same people. My bio-father is an OK human being, and we share a lot... maybe more than most adults who have co-equal adult relationships, but he doesn't need to read the stuff I share with my friends, or that I muse on late at night.

Share my LJ with relative - NO. Just NO.

Share with people who I actually interact with in positive ways - probably, but maybe not everything.

Yes, I keep my LiveJournal a secret, from a lot of people.

...first they go on tour, than they go op for sale at Christie's of London.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/…

I find this interesting for two reasons - there are a lot of historical pieces in this collection, both of film and the world at large - including the La Peregrina pearl that was once owned by Prince Phillip II of Spain. There are also a vast collection of amazing gowns, including one made of sheet metal leaves.

Ms. Taylor sure did like her bling - enough so that a part of me thinks if she'd been born male, she would have been a drag queen. She sure had the grace to carry off look of "Bling" with class and style. 8)

Joy to you!

Hey... I may have to make myself a pain in the arse soon, and I may need to take some of you up on past offers of storage and crashing space if those offers are still open.

I just had a conversation with the folks where I've been staying that I've been both expecting and dreading. The other shoe dropped, and I need to find another housing situation asap. I'm sending notes out to friends to find out who might have space and for how long. I'm really not a good camper.

The folks here say they will write a note to DVR/Social Services for me, in hopes of lighting a fire under the housing situation, but I really need to leave here soon. Keeping me is expensive and problematic... bills are higher than last year, and having an extra adult in the house isn't helping with that.

I just got the denial from Section 8 too, so that possibility doesn't exist for at least another two years, and I don't know what's up with Seattle Housing or any of the other applications I've put in. I don't know what will happen with DVR/Social Services, but please keep your fingers crossed for me, and let me know if you hear of anything housing or job-wise that I might qualify for.

Anyway, it's been quite a day. Good luck with everything.

...to be Takei!

The former Mr. Sulu rocks the activist wagon




Would it not be cool to have a "geek squad" at the Pride Parade this year wearing their "Takei" T-shirts? http://www.itsoktobetakei.com/

Does anyone have any ideas of where/how to look for a US National living in Japan who is apparently incommunicado?

Do any of you have *ANY* ideas whatsoever?

I don't know how restricted communication channels are, nor do I know if my person is anywhere near communication devices. I have sent Email to his personal and work accounts, left voice messages on his Skype and office phones, though his personal mobile gives a fast busy when I try to call. I am not finding his name on the state department lookup list.

Does anyone have any other ideas or resources?

PLEASE point me to any additional options you may be aware of.

I got this link from the CSPS electronic newsletter, and I must say the video is terrific - it sure made me smile. I forwarded it to my fabulous former neighbour and my school's Triangle Club for GLBTQ students - I think it will be especially encouraging to the younger members who've only recently gotten out of high school.

Check it out - it's seriously cool!

The upshot is that someone found a roll of film and had the photos developed - they turned out to be great pics, and now the finder is trying to get them back to the people who shot them. I think his trying to return them deserves a boost, so please, pass it on. 8)

Here's a link to the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thel… and here's the lovely video...

This may be old news to the rest of the intarweebs, but I just encountered this site today: http://1000awesomethings.com/ and I *do* think it's pretty darn awesome.

It's a definite mood lifter.


Yeah Dooood, like, totally Awesome...

This is too frakkin' cool! http://scenicdrivefactory.com/

I've been seeing flyers for this all over my school - Here's their "about us" page: http://scenicdrivefactory.com/abou…

I have intention to spend some time making things here.

Among other cool things, they're seriously into recycling used materials to make stuff. For those of you who sew/craft, but don't own or have access to a sewing machine - they rent sewing machines by the hour. They have an open knitting circle - a skill I want to learn. They also function as an arts venue, with stationary and performance art.

I am sad that I didn't look at their blog last week - I missed their open house last weekend.

* In other non-news: yesterday was a strange day of unexpected random connections, largely with people I haven't seen in over a year, or even two. I had an appointment to meet one of them on Friday, but the other three were completely unexpected. I'll write something about that later, if I get a chance....

Passing this along to increase the bandwidth and maximize the signal... it's not my event, but I intend to participate. Please join me in wearing *purple, and please, share this with as many of your friends and organizations as possible.

*Purple velvet pants for school! Wooooo! However will they cope?


General info: This event was not created by me. It was created by someone who cares deeply on Tumblr, and I am only spreading the word.*
Start date: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 12:00 AM
End date: Thursday, October 21, 2010 12:00 AM
Where: Everywhere
Cost: Nothing
Dress code: WEAR PURPLE


It’s been decided. On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved.

Please join this event and invite everyone on your friends list. Don't let their deaths be for nothing. Let it mean something, and let's do something to change this country for once.
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