| Hey, I know I don't post on here that much anymore, but my friend wrote this as a facebook note, and it would mean a lot to me if people would try to just send it out. Email, reposts, copy and paste on blogs, i don't know, but I think it would be a great help, especially because election day is right around the corner.
"
My leg hurts and Proposition 8
Dear California Voters,
Today I found a letter pinned to my newsfeed, the electronic bulletin board on Facebook. It was a letter in favor of Proposition 8. You know, the proposition on the California ballot that bans gay people from getting married? Puts it into the state constitution. This letter pleas with Christians to vote for it. Says that I am evil. Says that there has to be the hand of Satan in, well, me.
I'm usually pretty grounded emotionally, but this one hit hard. My brain seemed to fall into the stomach and I wanted to vomit and cry and crawl away. So I did the next best thing: I went for a run.
My leg has been hurting since I felt a twinge digging up termite piles from my folks' house a few weeks ago, and running changes the ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. But I ran.
I ran because I am frustrated, and stress and frustration burns off through sweat. And I'm frustrated because it's humiliating. It's humiliating that we have to get on our knees and beg the people of California not to take away a right. It's humiliating that that all our commercials are straight people asking voters to treat their gay friends and gay daughters as equals. We gays can't even ask for it ourselves because the people of California will ignore our pleas because we're not like you, we're foreign and unknowable and many of you think we're evil.
So I want to introduce myself and talk to you directly.
My name is Brian Oglesby. I go by Briandaniel in my writing. I am 24. And I'm gay. Someday, I'd like to get married.
This is my lifestyle: I get up in the morning, go for jog if my leg doesn't hurt, I write and teach and go to classes all day, then I come home. Sometimes I go out with friends. But that doesn't tell you much about me.
This does: I'm afraid that I'll never have what my parents have.
My mom and dad met at UC-Davis. They were both taking a political science class that they didn't really need to take. My dad came from a middle class, Protestant family. My mom was the daughter of dirt-poor, Catholic immigrants -- my abuelo came here as a Bracero, the labor program that brought folks to tend American fields while men like my Grandpa Jack were fighting WWII. College was the only place my parents could meet.
Mom and Dad met because they were *those* students, the kind who came to class early. I suspect that Dad only came early to talk to my mom.
Their first date was to the campus Coffeehouse for coffee and a cookie or croissant. Dad had a beard then. He asked Mom, "What do you think of beards?" as a sort of ice-breaker. "I don't like them," my mother said, without realizing Dad was talking about his own.
The next day, Dad shaved his beard. Mom was a work-study student and so he found her at the front desk in the UCD library. She didn't recognize him.
Five years later, on New Years' Eve, on the bridge at Yosemite Falls, Dad proposed.
They've been married 27 years now. And Grandma Beth and Grandpa Jack were married almost 60 years when he died.
I want that. I want to celebrate my 27th wedding anniversary with a trip to Yosemite with my husband.
I have two metal rings cinched to my pinky. Costume jewelry. I've worn them ever since my friends Ian and Jennifer married. They had these tiny gold-colored rings tied with ribbons on the gift boxes they gave to the guests. The gold paint has faded, but I still wear these to remind me of them.
I love my friends, but weddings were sad and insulting until this last summer. The law of the land said that their marriage was valid not because of the vows they'd made to each other. Not because of the rings they exchanged. Not because when Jennifer has the flu, Ian will slush through New York snow for orange juice. Not because when Ian's hair goes and he's diabetic and he can't remember their relationship or even Jennifer's name like my Grandpa Jack couldn't remember Grandma Beth and he's scared, she'll be learning how to bake cookies without sugar and feeding him with a spoon. Until this summer, none of this mattered, not the vows they made to each other, not the vows my parents made, not the vows Grandma and Grandpa made sixty years ago. All that made their marriages real was that I wasn't allowed to get married.
Now I have the same rights. Now marriage is about the vows taken. Now it's about love and responsibility. And now I have allowed myself to imagine that, maybe, maybe I'll get to have what they have.
I'm afraid that I will grow old alone. I'm afraid that no one will ever love me. That I am too ugly or too picky or too darn shy. And I'm afraid that after November, I will never be able to have what my parents have.
When I half-limped home from my run, my housemate Cathy was sprawled on the couch. Cathy is a lesbian.
"What's wrong?" she asked when she saw me.
I was sweaty and frustrated and my leg seemed ready to fall off and I was scared. "We're not evil," I stammered.
I was sweaty and dirty and she leaned over and hugged me.
Maybe it's corny to say, but love is never evil.
I'm not asking you to come to my wedding. Or to let me have it in your church. Or to teach your children about me.
I'm asking you to realize that I'm human, too. I'm asking you to let me keep this right.
I'm asking you to vote No on Proposition 8 or don't vote on the proposition at all.
Yours,
Briandaniel Oglesby
"
Thank you for reading. | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment   |
| | Current Music: | ambulence sirens | | Current Location: | ITALY | | Time: | 09:38 am | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/stars/silly.gif) perfect |
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| yeah yeah yeah, i don't update this thing, i know.
but this trip has been so funny and fucked up, i can't help it. i love it here. the weather has been beautiful, the people have been pretty nice (yes even the italian boys that hit on my sister's and i) and i've had a chance to see my sisters. the whole trip is awesome.
in true italian style, i arrived a day before my bags did. dontcha just love airports?
so, i got some cool italian underwear out of it (thanks mom and dad!!). and everybody felt bad for me, so i got a cool survival kit form the airport with an extra large t-shirt in it.
what the hell.
it said "female overnight kit" and the shirt was an XL. it comes to my knees. i'm keeping it till i die.
we climbed up to the top of the giant fuckin' hill to a cathedral...san luca i think. and you could see the whole countryside of Emilia Romagna. it was so fucking picturesque, i thought i was in a friggan postcard.
and now i'm in florence, we have an apartment around the corner from the duomo and i'm seeing the david tomorrow. apparently they have his junk on everything. i'm serious. boxers, t-shirts, postcards, fuckin' keychains and shit. just his package. that's it. i mean you can get a whole little statue of him, but most things just have his dick on 'em. i gotta say, sex humor translates across any culture.
especially homosexuality humor. my sisters and i went to a bar one night, and these italian guys started talking to us, they were policemen, and worked together. so they asked how we knew each other. one of my sisters said "we're sisters" and the other one (the considerably more drunk one) said "not lesbians". the guys were confused for a second and then one said something to the effect of, "oh, well this guy here is totally gay for me". and the friend of his smacked him and was like "dude, why the fuck did you say that to hot chicks, i hate you"
it was really funny.
so in that bar journey i learned these things:
1.) being a girl and ordering a jack and coke makes the bartender think you rock faces.
2.) gin and tonics, while girly, are still really good drinks.
3.) being able to smoke in the smoking room, and not outside in the cold, freezing your ass off, is more fun.
and 4.) no matter where you go, someone from davis follows you.
my sister saw someone from her high school math class. we have since made fun of this guy at every possible moment.
i love my family.
as always, there have been fights, but better, it has been nonstop laughter at every moment. i have seriously almost pissed myself laughing about 20 times, and that was in the first 48 hours of being here.
i'm super psyched to have my sisters coming home for a bit in june, cause no matter how much we talk on the phone, the conversations are a thousand times funnier in person.
time to make dinner in a tiny italian kitchen!!! | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | itunes says: ashes to ashes by steve earle | | Current Location: | me apartmento | | Subject: | awol and Italy | | Time: | 10:22 pm | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/stars/energetic.gif) excited |
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| yes yes yes, i know i have been awol as far as lj is concerned. but to be honest. i haven't really had much to say. but i do still read! i swear! i even comment occasionally!
so, the real reason i'm updating here is because i'm going to Italy for a week! and i don't want anyone to think i dropped off the face of the freakin' planet. i realize that there are only a few of you on here that i see on a regular basis, but it's the principle of the thing. i don't want you to think i'm ignoring you, but i have been busy with finals and packing, and now i'm going away. but i will be back on the 31st and i will be raring for some talk of my trip.
so i will try to be back to pryanksters that week. and try to see others as well.
and cause i'm already updating....i may as well play a little catch up.
quick review: gergo and i called it quits. mostly i called it quits, and he, to my knowledge is takin' it pretty okay. but i haven't seen him in a couple weeks. so who knows.
i'm single, i'm happy, and for once, i'm not immediately dating another guy. as a matter of fact, there are no other prospects at the current moment. and that feels pretty damn great. i'm working on being me, and that's it.
schools been pretty righteous. the major change is treating me better now that i'm moving past prep classes and all. looking forward to graduating in 2 more years, and hoping to chill a little before deciding what's next.
that, in a nutshell, is where things are at this moment.
but i will have more (i swear i'll update more!!!!) when i get back.
beautiful bologna, here i come!! | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| unitrans bus: 1
traffic light pole at 3rd and B: 0
i drove by and the light post was most definitely defeated. it was kinda humorous . | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| 1. Leave me a casual comment of no particular significance, like a lyric to your current favorite song, or your favorite kind of sandwich, maybe your favorite game. Any remark, meaningless or not.
2. I will respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. Update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. Include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in your own post.
5. When others respond with a comment, you will ask them five questions.
( answers for dragonmagnet )
( answers for cearalaith )
isn't it funny that i avoid this thingy EXCEPT for memes.
good lord i'm sad.
=P
but life's awesome right now, so hey, let's have fun! | | comments: 21 comments or Leave a comment |
| Well, i'm kinda bummed.
i'm not gonna be able to go to seattle next week, which sucks. but i guess it's also kinda good, cause i know that i should take care of a few things here at home. like unpacking my room....someday.
things have been a little hectic since my birthday. i don't think i'll have any moments of clarity any time soon. but i can dream, can't i?
i think i'm just gonna try to chill this summer. the only problem with that, is that to stay sane, i need to occupy my time. if i am left alone, to my own devices, i may do something stupid. like call an ex. and tha'd be bad.
so in an attempt to avoid that, i've got movies, video games, a trip to japan, an awesome roommate (who will be leaving for the month of july) and a bunch of awesome friends!
i just realize that my friends have lives, and don't want to have to see me for 12 hours straight. so i will have to find something to fill that time. i would take up crochet if i knew how....
i guess i could sew a bit or something.
the real point is, i just need things to take my mind off of my current situation and come september, i will be a happier camper!
think positive!
errr, try to at the very least.... | | comments: 11 comments or Leave a comment |
| Happy almost birthday to me....
j's graduation s finally over now, so i will be home in two days. family has been pretty chill so far. at least, mom and dad have. jess is....okay, it seems. my grandparents are cute. and a little trying.
i'm just hoping that when i come home i will have something to do. otherwise it will be another crappy birthday. i almost like having them out of the country so that i don't have to admit that people have other shit to do. better to hear "sorry you weren't here" than "hey can't make it"
but this year i have a pinata. if all else fails, i'll just kick the crap outta that and then eat all the candy.
gotta run....dinner. | | comments: 15 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | disturbed | | Current Location: | campus | | Time: | 04:43 pm |
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| oooh man life.
it's back again. how does it do that?
so, gerg and i aren't a thing anymore. and i think that has the potential to be one of the healthiest things i could do for myself. i was dead set on needing time to be an individual, considering how the last time i was single, i was 15 and still in highschool.
jess really hit the nail on the head tho,
i am an independent. if i wasn't, i wouldn't have had the balls to be the one to end all three relationships i've had. i would have given up just continued regardless of how i felt.
i have a real desire to debate something substantial for hours.
i want to yell at someone.
i want to scream and yell so hard that i cry.
i want to point out someones faults and see them squeam as they attempt to recover.
i also want to let the world know, at the top of my lungs, that strawberries and bananas in smoothie format is possibly on of the greatest pairings in the history of existence.
things have gone and gotten bizarre yet again.
i think the summer will be a huge help. i'm going to try and travel and occupy my time as much as i possibly can so i can avoid thinking too much.
i'm back to work this weekend. 11% sale at the co-op.
i'm cashiering the longest shift i have ever had to endure on saturday. 10am to 7pm. this is pretty unusual for me. but i think it will be fun anyway.
cause i have emilia_romagna and deffinetly_tim to hang out with while i work. and then i have game both nights. so that'll be fun.
i'll prolly crash somewhere in the middle of sunday and wonder how i got to sunday when it still feels like thursday. but with a little studying and some love, i'll remember that i have an exam on monday, and i'll proceed to have a panic attack. hooray.
as it is i have a midterm on friday that i don't think i am ready for at all. i'm very bad at budgeting my time.
i get to pick my fall classes on tuesday. i think that, too, will help my mental state.
given the last two months, i have a feeling i'm gonna have a total melt down on friday.
the hope is that i can keep it together through work. after that, i don't really care. i can crash all i want. until 10am the following day.
the weather is better. i'm almost 20. things, i think, can only go up from here.
but i've been proven wrong before. i hope i'm not this time.
randi is still in the game. she hasn't been replaced yet. | | comments: 6 comments or Leave a comment |
| i had to cut down my friends list because i never have time to read it all. no offense or nothing. i just don't have time to read 20 or so updates a day.
~R | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| My PLS lab class is trying to kill me. so it took an hour to go over microsoft word. another hour for excel, and 20 minutes just to understand binary.
i'm dying here. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| my TA for my computers class just told the class that his father wanted to name him deiter. his name is actually todd.
i find this hilarious.
bwahahaha. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Tags: | meme | | Current Music: | watchin' a movie | | Current Location: | home | | Time: | 11:54 am | | Current Mood: | spiffy! |
|
| okay i tried to do work, but this was just too damn funny:
<td align="center" style="background: #000000; color: #FFFFFF;">Randi's Random Movie Quote:
'I can't believe my grandmother actually felt me up.'
- Samantha, Sixteen Candles
Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com</td>
i love this movie! | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| oh man life, you are so bizarre.
so let's see, update on midterms:
fuck
yeah, i did well on one of 'em, average on another and oh-good-god-i-wanna-kick-myself on the other two.
but hey! i'm changin' majors! right?
so not all that terrible....
looking forward to the weekend. looking forward to no more fewer crazy assignments. were are my classes that only require lab write ups? hm?
i want'em NOOOOOWWWWW
not next quarter. =(
so i guess i am going to be allowed a "leave of absence" from my job for spring. so i still get to come back in june. which will be nice, except i am going to my sister's graduation in june, and i want to visit Mel in July. but summer session may get in the way.
i may take session 2 and not take session 1.
i guess i'll have to decide that one soon.
dance tonight! if i finish my arcaeology assignment first. but i should have enough time in my gap between classes to do that.
let's hope, cause i want to be dreadfully out of breath and sweaty tonight.
oh that sounded a lot less worse in my head.
off to class now! | | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | tapping of keys | | Current Location: | sheilds | | Time: | 10:23 am | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/stars/enthralled.gif) enthralled |
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| take that Soc 2 midterm!
rock on, 7 page paper outta the way!
so now i have, like, a week without any "homework-y" written assignments.
just a midterm on tuesday. i also have to sign up for classes tuesday evening.
YAY new major!
dance was pretty awsome last night. got to dance a lotta good stuff. lots of fun high, fast, and loud dances, which was cool. took the bus home.
scared half to death while waiting when gerg poked me on the shoulder.
that was pretty freaky.
had a good night. weird dreams though. one about drowning, one about dancing teddy bears. pretty bizarre really.
today i have class till one and then work.
y...yay?
so 2-7 i have to stand in my box and ring up groceries.....but i found out that i can take a leave of absence from my job and come back in the summer without having to re-apply!
woohoo!
no head aches there!
in other news, watch out vanilla latte. i just had a caramel latte this morning, and it was pretty damn good. you better be on your toes if you want me to stay faithful!
so yeah, besides my having an affair with caramel flavoring, and bizarre dreams, and all that good stuff, life is going pretty damn well right about now.
i'm just gonna need to keep avoiding next wednesday like the plague.
if i don't recognize it, it won't exist right?
DAMN RIGHT!
hope everyone has a loverly weekend, i've got one of my stupid games this weekend, so i KNOW i'll be rockin' out!
rock on hardcore,
R | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Vivaldi's Four Seasons | | Current Location: | shields library | | Time: | 02:45 pm | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/stars/working.gif) busy |
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| i'm really sick in the head. i just bought the first season of HBO's Rome on a whim because i saw it for half the price that i saw it at borders.
wow.
lemme drop half a paycheck for a show i love.
now i wanna watch it today, but it won't be here till next week ish.
damn. | | comments: 9 comments or Leave a comment |
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