Namely my love of hip-hop/rap music with my loathing of the N-word and my feminist tendencies. Also, my ability to accept ear-piercing on infant/toddler girls but not boys.

Seriously, WTF are those things all about?!

I have spent many hours discussing these issues with friends and generally reflecting on them, but I cannot find a way to understand it. I give myself some credit for my honesty regarding these issues and at least trying to understand the paradox.

Embrace your inner hypocrite. What are your issues?

I am so pleased that we have organizations like HRC and GLAAD to help bring an end to anti-gay bullying through legislation and by promoting awareness and education. It is so important for us as a community to tolerate our differences, if not embrace them. This small gesture is one way I was (happily) able to help. I stand with you, enthusiastic about showing my support.

It gets better.

My brother is visiting from Spokane this week. My house needs to be cleaned.

Spring class registration begins next week. Scheduling nightmare: three people attending school and needing to find balance so that one (really cute, obnoxious) boy is supervised at all times. I’ve got to get caught up on my community hours for my ASL class and JA club.

Busy, busy!

Today is National Coming Out Day. My name is tata and I’m a straight ally for the Human Rights Campaign and the LGBT community.

I cannot begin to know what it feels like to be forbidden from openly sharing my love for fear of losing my family, my job, my rights and possibly my life. While my heart aches for those who are still afraid, those who have bravely come out give me hope in their strength. I stand beside you all. It gets better.

♥ One Love ♥ NO H8

One more reason to forgo Saturday mail.

Last night, P and I went to see Clutch. That was a bit of a rude awakening. I have denied the gray hairs and faint fine lines in the mirror, but there was no denying how fucking loud that show was. I am obviously ill-prepared for Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax next Tuesday!

School is very busy: exams, papers, club meetings, volunteering in the community and participating in Deaf events (Have I mentioned how very much I adore ASL?! ‘Cause I do.). There is so much reading. Good thing I’ve had lots of practice!

Considering that, I should be in bed. I’ve had a few manic episodes in the past week and that interferes with my ability to rest well. I’ve been in bed for hours, watching a bit of television between hours of reading and then rediscovering LibraryThing. Getting the nook for my birthday has really bumped up my ability to read more often. In the first month I owned it, I read every single Sookie Stackhouse novel. Right now, I’m reading Lamb by Christopher Moore. It’s fabulous.

Goodnight. Blessed Be.

Some days, it is all too much.

I try to remember my blessings, but some days… some days, they are not enough to carry my spirit. I am grateful, but some days… some days, I just want to throw up my hands, give into the sadness and hide from the world.

Today is one of those days.

I’m curious by nature so of course I opened the letter. And it said I won the scholarship. And the scholarship is for twice as much as I thought - $6000! Holy shit. I was completely stunned. I read the letter multiple times to be sure I had read it right.

I have always treated my education with great seriousness. I work hard to secure grants, fabulous grades and scholarships. This is not my first scholarship by a stretch. It is, however, the most substantial! I opened the letter at around 10am this morning and the shock didn’t wear off until just a few hours ago. The joy has finally set in!

I made my appointment on time (actually, I was there early!) and the advisor and I spent an hour and a half pouring over my transcripts, prerequisites and required courses, she edited my proposal and we squared away my curriculum for the remainder of my undergraduate career. She advised me to call the Doctor before the day’s end to make my appointment with him to get approval for my degree proposal before the end of May. I didn’t have anywhere to go or anything much to do, so I found a spot in the sun on campus and tweaked my proposal until Husband called. I needed to call the Doctor before I headed home because I’d just forget about it once I got there. I pulled up my Google calendar and dialed him. He asked if I was busy now, to which I responded, “Let’s do this!” Less than an hour and a handshake later, the Doctor welcomed my to Liberal Studies and congratulated me for being the first ever U of L student to major in Forensic Science! w00t!!!

I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling very overwhelmed and humble. But I still played lotto!