Behold, the best tourism video ever!

In case you've missed my recent Facebook Status Updates, I am currently in the process of getting myself entangled in a super complicated, but super lovely and exciting and amazing relationship with a new person. She is, in two words, fucking awesome and, in a phrase, the best part of my day. We won't go into the super complicated pieces just yet, but, one..wrinkle, is her 7-year-old daughter, who sounds like, maybe, the most awesome kid I have yet to meet. This entry is inspired by her.

When I was a kid, I was the epitome of the word "tomboy." I liked to get dirty and ride my bike, chase after my brother and rough house with my dolls til they were all ratty looking. My favorite toys were the ones that looked like they had been given to me used. I was *that* kid. I could be a really solitary kid when I wanted to be and one of my favorite activities was collecting rocks in the woods around my house. We had moved into our new house when I was 8, and it was a new construction, which meant that TONS of earth had been shifted around and dug out in order to create the foundation. So, my rock collecting reached EPIC proportions in the first few years of living there. I even had a rock tumbler...yes, I was that kid.

Flash forward, oh, 20 years or so, I'm talking to R and getting to know her and she mentions that her daughter has a rock collection. *ding* Lightbulb.

I knew I had downsized the collection when I was 13 or so, but I still had my favorites in my old bedroom, so, I pulled them out the other day when I was home for Easter and took some photos, for R, but also, for myself, to relive one of my favorite times in my life.

( Care Bears and Geodes and Fossils, oh my! )

And, that, friends is a little taste of the giant collection I used to have. This does not even include all the rocks I tumbled (oy, that was a pain in the ass), which are buried somewhere I suspect. I have to say that sifting through the box made me feel so happy and genuinely connected to the little kid I used to be. I keep thinking I'll send some off to R's daughter, but, then I remember that one of the best parts of rock collecting was the discovery phase, and maybe, I'll let her hold onto that for awhile longer. Exploring is fun!!

Stolen from bec76, this made me laugh...god, to be 6 again.

Tonight I was watching Channel 3 the local news station, and they had a "special report" from their investigative reporter Tom Meyer. They hyped up the report all evening during station promos, talking about how he was going to expose a bus driver who was a convicted felon and *gasp* the school district new about it.

Now, from the first moment I saw these promos, I knew the story was going to be bogus bullshit, but I wanted to watch it just to confirm this in my mind. And, yup, it was ridiculous. Basically this woman, at 18, was convicted of theft, possession, and trafficking. There had been no new activity on her record in 14 years and she was driving a bus for the Wickliffe school district. The school district is fully aware of her record and has been consistently drug testing her (every time she's passed). But, of course, this was not enough for Tom, who took it upon himself to take a photo copy of her record and attack parents in the parking lot after school let out to ask them "What they think of a criminal driving the bus that their precious babies ride on?" Obviously, the parents were outraged.

It sickens me to know that this woman who has re-constructed her life after the mistakes she made as a teenager will now probably be ostracized and might even lose her job because of one man who took it upon himself to take a molehill and turn it into a mountain. It sickens me that journalism has degraded to this level. And, it sickens me that some people will probably cheer him on for his brilliant investigative skills.

This is why I don't watch TV.

PS- You should totally boycott WKYC.

**EDITED TO ADD*

I wrote an email to the reporter last night and received a response this morning:

My email:

Shame on you Tom Meyer, just, really, shame on you. The story you did tonight on the Wickliffe bus driver was not only ridiculously overblown in all of your promos, but it was also irresponsible journalism on your part. You went after someone who has really done nothing wrong. It's sad, that the decisions we make when we're TEENAGERS follow us years later because of an overzealous reporter trying to play to people's basest instincts. I thought that Channel 3 had higher standards than that. That perhaps they were unlike Channel 19, who constantly plays to people's base instincts, but sadly your reporting just goes to show that even your standards have been compromised. And now, what have you got to show for it Tom Meyer? A woman who will probably be ostracized from a community that she's worked in for awhile and who has done nothing wrong for almost 14 years. Aren't you a sad little man that you feel the need to go after the weakest and most helpless in our society? Won't you feel so proud of your journalistic skills if you get someone fired for a mistake they made years ago? Wow, I have lost all respect for you and for WKYC and will no longer be watching your news. My family agrees with me and will also be boycotting your "news"casts. I will also strongly encourage others to avoid a station where responsible journalism has completely disintegrated. I thought that people who went to prison paid their debt to society, but obviously, Mr. Meyer, you disagree...it will be interesting to see you take on every convicted criminal who now has a job. Good for you sir, don't you just feel so proud?

(Uh, I may have been slightly pissed at the time)

and his response:

Jennifer,

I am not responsible for promotions nor did I see any for this story. Parents and some employees raised concerns about the bus driver. I reported those concerns, but I also think I made it clear the driver has kept her nose clean and that a felony shouldn't automatically disqualify one from a job. I do not believe the driver will suffer any consequences as district officials have defended her. I hope she and other ex cons learn from their mistakes and turn their lives around.

Thank yoou for your

No really, that's how it ended...I love how he takes no responsibility for his actions at all.

I seriously almost peed my pants. I love everyone who owns one of these:

So, you can only do it on one:

The first seven (7) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
- What I create will be just for you.
- It'll be done this year (2009).
- No requests-- it could be anything. It may be a mix CD. It may be a poem.
I may draw or paint something.
I might bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows?
- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that if you don't re-post this offer, the bargain is void!

And I'm sad she didn't speak yesterday...I really loved her poem at Clinton's inauguration. This, however, made me laugh out loud. David Allen Grier can be hilarious.

In somewhat unrelated news...I have a date on Thursday. Stay tuned.

It's surprisingly warm outside, so I decided to do a survey. I know the substantive posts have been lacking for months now, and perhaps, when I'm feeling p to it, I'll post a f-locked morsel about the depression that I've been living in for the past 3 months or so...but for now...survvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyy!

The Life Experience Test

Overall, you have partaken in 108 out of 169 possible life experiences. Your average life experience score is therefore 64%. The average score is 51%, making your experiences more than 85% of the people who have taken this test. The average for your age group (26-35) is 53%. Broken down by category: Art: 11/17 (65%) Career & Work: 7/13 (54%) Civics & Technology: 6/7 (86%) Crime & Disarray: 6/11 (55%) Education: 13/18 (72%) Fashion: 8/10 (80%) Fitness, Health and Sports: 4/7 (57%) Life in General: 7/14 (50%) Relationships: 10/14 (71%) Religion & Politics: 2/4 (50%) Social: 14/22 (64%) Travel: 9/20 (45%) Vices: 11/12 (92%)

Take the test and see how YOU compare

I know, I haven't posted in forever and a year. My birthday is in less than a week, I'm sure the big "year end" post isn't far away.

But, I got a link to a friend's GORGEOUS wedding video today and I wanted to share, because, it makes me all kind of gay. Meaning happy. And into girls.

http://vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?p=i2vik83c

Damn, lesbian weddings in Hawaii. That's good shit!

One thought comes to mind...

Republicans are scary. The chants of "we're not done," and "USA," make me afraid.

Also, if anything, McCain has released the scourge of Sarah Palin onto the national political scene.

I'm surprisingly thrilled!

CONGRATULATIONS ON AMERICA FOR WAKING UP!!!

Item 1: "The L Word" star Jennifer Beals and producer-creator Ilene Chaiken will be at the Nickel on Saturday night, rocking out to the hot sounds of Donna Mogavero! Just a mere $5 cover.

Of course, tonight Patti will be chatting with Melissa Etheridge at her Dennis Kucinich fundraiser, but at the bar it will be Grilling Time! Those of you who can't affort $250 to meet Melissa, come on over and get $1 burgers and 50 cent hot dogs!

The Nickel
4365 State Road
Cleveland, Ohio
216-661-1314
www.myspace.com/TheNickelBar

Item 2: CLEVELAND – NBA superstar LeBron James and Grammy-winning recording artist Jay-Z want people to get out early to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
James and Jay-Z will host a rally Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland which will include a free concert by the hip-hop star.
James attended a Cleveland rally earlier this month to encourage people to vote for Obama. He's also contributed $20,000 to a committee supporting the presidential nominee.

Item 3:


Item 4: (I know you've seen it, but just keep watching. Trust me.)

I fucking love Betty White. Amazing.

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR Williams.

Tonight at the Beachland Ballroom. 8:00 show, doors at 7. $30 bucks and totally worth it!

Should be a great time!

Hooray for good music in C-town! :) :) :)

Hello friends (and some people I haven't spoken with in far too long!),

It's time for another round of my concert calendar. While most people tend to think that the summer touring season is really the time to catch a concert, I always find that fall, with it's crisp air and crunchy leaves is one of the best times to catch a show. I hope you'll consider joining me at some of the following fine musical offerings. I have a couple that fall on the same day, so if there's any interest in anyone on a particular show that's on the same day as another show, let me know. I am never hesitant to go to a show on my own, but it's always more fun to go with a friend.* (Shows with two stars are ones I'll definitely be attending)

And away we go...

September 2008

*9/3-Wednesday, 8 PM, $15, Beachland Tavern- Slaid Cleaves
*9/4-Thursday, 7 PM, Free, Shoparooni- Kid Robot Series 5 Dunny Release Party
*9/12-Friday, 6 PM, $?, Grog Shop- School of Rock performs the Three Pillars of Punk (Music by the Ramones, Sex Pistols, and the Clash)
**9/16-Tuesday, 8PM, $28.50, Beachland Ballroom- Dar Williams w./Shawn Mullins
*9/17-Wendesday, 8 PM, $36, The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI)- Dar Williams w./Shawn Mullins
**9/19- Friday, 7:30 PM, $10, Beachland Tavern- Dana Fuchs (From the movie "Across the Universe")
*9/23-Tuesday, 8:30 PM, $30, Beachland Ballroom- Neko Case
*9/23-Tuesday, 9 PM, $8, Grog Shop- Dressy Bessy/the Very Knees/Hot Cha Cha
*9/26-Friday, 8 PM, $25 (and up), State Theatre Playhouse Square- Le nozze de Figaro (Cleveland Opera)
*9/27-Saturday, 8 PM, $?, Oberlin College (Cats In The Cream Coffeehouse)- Lucy Wainwright Roche
*9/28-Sunday, 2 PM, $25 (and up), State Theatre Playhouse Square- Le nozze de Figaro (Cleveland Opera)
*9/28-Sunday, 8 PM, $20, Beachland Ballroom- Loudon Wainwright III

October 2008
*10/2-Thursday, 8 PM, $26, Beachland Ballroom- Sam Bush w./Greensky Bluegrass
*10/3-Friday, 9 PM, $?, Winchester Tavern- Steph Taylor and The State Of/Early Girl
*10/4-Saturday, 8 PM, $25 (and up), State Theatre Playhouse Square- Le nozze de Figaro (Cleveland Opera)
*10/8-Wednesday, 8 PM, $15, The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI)- Girlyman
*10/14-10/26, Various Times, Various Prices, Palace Theater at Playhouse Square- A Chorus Line (I will actually be going to this with my mom to a Sunday matinee, but I thought I'd throw it on the list in case anyone else wanted to go and wanted a review)
*10/17-Friday, 7:30 PM, $20, The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA)-Girlyman
*10/18-Saturday, 9 PM, $12.50, Beachland Ballroom- The Everybodyfields
*10/19-Sunday, 8 PM, $15, Beachland Tavern- Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams (such a fun band to see live)
*10/21-Tuesday, 8 PM, $vary, Quicken Loans Arena- COLDPLAY (I so so so want to go to this show, and probably will)
*10/25-Saturday, 9 PM, $18, Beachland Ballroom- Matthew Sweet
*10/27-Monday, 7 PM, $15, Grog Shop- Shiny Toy Guns
*10/28-Tuesday, 8 PM, $12, Grog Shop- Melissa Ferrick
*10/31-Friday, 9 PM, $15, Beachland Ballroom- Amy Ray

November 2008
*11/3-Monday, 7 PM, $?, House Of Blues Cleveland- Sara Bareilles
*11/7-Friday, 7:30 PM, $35, The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA)- Dar Williams w./Lucy Wainwright Roche
*11/7-Friday, 8 PM, $17.50, The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI)- Willy Porter
*11/8-Saturday, 7:30 PM, $35, The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA)- Dar Williams w./Lucy Wainwright Roche
*11/8-Saturday, 8 PM, $20, The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI)- Richard Shindell
(or maybe I'll just stay home that weekend)
*11/14-Friday, 8PM, $?, Lakewood Civic Auditorium- Margaret Cho (again, a show I really really really want to go to)
**11/22-Saturday, 8 PM, $17.50, The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI)- Susan Werner

Call (or reply) if interested in a show. This list is subject to change and availability. Shows with multiple listings will only have one If you want to make sure that I'm there, call or email to confirm the day of the show. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Etc., etc., etc.

Looking forward to some great music this fall!

Cheers,

Jen

Dear Del,

I cannot express my gratitude enough at all you did for the gay and lesbian community. Your pioneering spirit and courageous attitude pushed forward a message of equality for all. Your work vaulted the community further than almost any others and I take comfort in the fact that you got to see your dream come true. I know Phyllis misses you and the rest of the world will too.

Thank you again for all of your sacrifice and dedication. Your activism and spirit will be missed.

Sincerely,

Jen Telischak