March 2005 Archives
- March 31, 2005: This is What I Do || No. of Comments: 8
Some people waste brain cells by drinking, smoking or inhaling. My brain cells — along with my entire youth — were wasted by the Information Superhighway. Thanks, Al Gore….
- March 31, 2005: New Kid on the Block || No. of Comments: 2
My first day at the new job.
- March 29, 2005: Lobby Day || No. of Comments: 0
Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to attend OutFront Minnesota’s justFair Lobby Day since I’m just starting a new job, but you should definitely go if you can. Jason and I went last year and joined hundreds of other people on the Capitol steps in St. Paul to show our support for equal rights for GLBT people. I won’t say it was fun, because the issues are too serious to be fun, but it was important. To inspire you, here’s a video OutFront made promoting the event. Time: Rally is from 1 to 2 p.m. Go earlier to meet…
- March 27, 2005: Church || No. of Comments: 3
We just got home from church with my grandma. Since I was born, I’ve been going to that small little church on special occasions, and nothing has changed, including attendees, music and choir robes. The average age is somewhere in the 60s, and everyone knows everyone and always has. People eat up the “request for prayer” time. It’s like a tabloid and the police blotter all in one. Tim fell of a 16-foot ladder the other day and needs prayer. Stephanie is having thyroid surgery and needs prayer. Jim had a heart attack and needs prayer. Mark is safe at…
- March 26, 2005: I’m Across the Lake in the Woods || No. of Comments: 5
My mom bawled when she saw me walk down the stairs of our house this afternoon. She didn’t know I was coming home to Michigan for the weekend. “You stupid kid,” she said while hugging me, her face red and tears streaming. My dad didn’t know either. “Did you run out of money, ya dummy?” he said. “No, but I’m hungry!” I replied. “I’m going to shoot clay pigeons in the yard,” he replied to my reply. So out we went, my dad, brother, sister and sister’s fiancee to join my dad’s two friends on top of the snow-covered hill…
- March 25, 2005: Best Friends Forever || No. of Comments: 0
Today is totally the last day of school when everyone signs your yearbook with emotionally wrought phrases you know aren’t true: “I’ll always remember you.” “BFF” “You’re the best!” “I love you!” Only I don’t play that game. I didn’t have anyone sign my yearbook because I knew I wouldn’t be seeing (almost) any of them again. And, at my last day of work here, I’m still not playing. Thanks and contact info has gone to the handful of people I will keep in touch with. The problem is that it’s expected for departing people to send an e-mail to…
- March 25, 2005: He Ruined It || No. of Comments: 2
There were 16 minutes left on the meter I parked in front of this afternoon. That’s the equivalent of digging in your jeans pocket for chapstick and instead finding money you didn’t know was there. In one word: Glorious. I clutched my saved quarter in my tight little fist and shoved it in my jacket pocket. A block down from me a young guy stood staring at his meter, holding his credit card helplessly in his fist and patting his pockets, looking for a telltale lump that would say: “Look! Meter money is here!” As I walked by, I extended…
- March 24, 2005: Monsters Under the Bed || No. of Comments: 4
Some of the most difficult things in life are never talked about. Disease, death, divorce, family traumas and personal downfalls are hidden from view and banished from discussion. Any sign of imperfection or weakness is ignored or denied. False storefronts of happiness and health are eaten away by termites we pretend don’t even exist. It’s just easier that way. It saves face and trouble. That’s how I’ve dealt with the Constitutional marriage amendments at both the federal and the state levels. I’ve largely ignored them, hoping they’ll go away. Like a child afraid of monsters under the bed, I’ve tried…
- March 23, 2005: Paper Trails || No. of Comments: 0
Over the past few days I’ve slowly been cleaning out my “office” and have realized just how much of work is worthless. Literally worthless. Whole stacks of magazines or competitors’ literature or trade publications or files have gone directly from my desk to the recycle bin. No one will miss them. They are worthless. The few things I’m taking with me when I leave on Friday are mainly the things I brought with me a year and a half ago: A bamboo plant that transplanted with me from Chicago. A high school senior picture of my sister and me that…
- March 22, 2005: Love Yourself Some Chipotle? || No. of Comments: 3
I eat Chipotle two or three times a week. Maybe I should reconsider that given these statistics from the Center for Science in the Public Interest: Chipotle’s Chicken Burrito (with black beans, rice, cheese, and salsa) weighs in at nearly 1,000 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat. Chipotle’s Vegetarian Burrito (with black beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, and salsa) weighs over a pound and provides 1,120 calories and three-quarters of a day’s worth of saturated fat (14 grams). Chipotle’s Barbacoa Burrito (with shredded beef, pinto beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa) hits nearly 1,300 calories and three-quarters of…
- March 21, 2005: First Moment of Guilt || No. of Comments: 0
I haven’t felt bad at all about leaving my current job. That is, until just now. After we wrapped up an interview with an editor, my client — an engineer — said to me, “I’m gonna miss ya, man.” Shucks. That gets to me….
- March 21, 2005: My New Career || No. of Comments: 1
Elijah Wood lookalike. But only at certain angles, and only when you squint. I think I can swing it. Two of my co-workers stopped me this morning, called me over to their table, pointed at the newspaper and said, “We thought of you.” It was this picture:…
- March 20, 2005: I Hear It’s Called the ‘Port City’ || No. of Comments: 2
The lights of Duluth didn’t sparkle beneath us last night as we crested a hill just outside the city. They didn’t sparkle so much as they emanated, glowing yellow and orange – the sulfurous color of factories and dank basements. In the coldness of March, worn out after a long winter, the Port City struggles to emit just enough light to keep people from getting lost and falling into Lake Superior. Giant black bodies of water and steep hills created tiers of lights and sudden areas of darkness. As we descended into the city, curving bridges carried us from…
- March 18, 2005: Disappointed || No. of Comments: 3
From Outfront Minnesota: Today, the Civil Law and Elections Committee of the Minnesota House, in an extraordinary hearing taking place in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, voted 7-5 along party lines to support the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to withhold legal recognition from same sex couples and their families (HF 0006). The committee vote was an opportunity to bring together hundreds of fair-minded people from all over the state to show support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality. Supporters gathered in peaceful demonstration, wearing “Vote No; it’s just fair” stickers. House File 0006 will now go to the House…
- March 14, 2005: It’s Decided || No. of Comments: 11
Make it official. In two weeks, I’m leaving the stability and austerity of a well-established, mid-size, respected PR agency with long-term clients, good health benefits, frequent wine gatherings and established processes and moving to a small creative advertising agency in downtown Minneapolis that offers the same pay, less benefits, more commuting expenses and less stability. And I’m sure it was the right decision. Because even with all the benefits of working at an established agency, with its set career path, it doesn’t make me satisfied. Or give me the opportunity for work I’m proud to showcase. It certainly doesn’t…
- March 13, 2005: Being an Adult Sucks || No. of Comments: 3
A weekend passed with 86 percent of my time spent thinking about whether I should accept a job offer at an advertising agency in Minneapolis. Thirteen percent of the remaining time was spent seeking advice on said opportunity. The remaining one percent was consumed by losing at volleyball, a quick trip to IKEA, hanging out with an old friend/boyfriend and dinner with friends. Decisions decisions decisions….
- March 9, 2005: Kisses for Dennis || No. of Comments: 4
- March 8, 2005: The Measure of a Man || No. of Comments: 9
How to articulate this? These thoughts go deep and affect many areas of my life, and your life, too, I’m wagering. What does it mean to be a man? And what does it mean to be masculine? Is it something I should strive for? In the days (and years) when my life revolved around the church, when I believed literally in a Bible and its absolute infallibility, things were simple. Gender roles were defined. Men should strive for masculinity, which meant they should be leaders of their household, providers for their family, strength for their wives, bold but still compassionate….
- March 8, 2005: Another Invitation || No. of Comments: 0
Thanks to Russ for passing this along: The Target GLBT Network proudly welcomes Judy Shepard, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, to share her message of promoting tolerance and acceptance, of what you can do to make your schools, corporations and communities safer for everyone. Please join us at Solera Restaurant & Event Center on Wednesday, March 16th. This event is free; all are welcome. The Matthew Shepard Foundation is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization, founded in December 1998 by Dennis and Judy Shepard. It was established in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered…
- March 7, 2005: Should I Feel Guilty? || No. of Comments: 12
I picked on an old man.
- March 2, 2005: I Wasn’t Laughing || No. of Comments: 7
My car doors froze shut. Dammit.
- March 1, 2005: Diva || No. of Comments: 2
Another charity gala.
