i'm baaack...

i know i’ve been away for way too long. the last two weeks have been hectic.
i’ve been doing one of my least favorite activities, reporting, for the last two weeks, so my schedule has been screwy and by the time i come home, i’ve usually been too disgusted to even think about putting my thoughts on paper (or more appropriately, online, as the case may be).
i’ve also been sick. my dear girlfriend visited me two weeks ago and gave me her cold while she was here (something to remember her by, she said). and a minor cold mutated into a horribly nasty cold that turned into an ear infection.
so yeah. i’ve had a lovely two weeks.
given that it’s been two weeks since i’ve been online to vent, i have oodles to talk about:

1. right wing nonsense. it is my duty as a rational, sane human being to highlight the nonsense that is going on with some people who pledge allegiance to bush and the republican party. namely, sherri dew and donnie mcclurkin, two people on the stage at the RNC this week. these two people are sad examples of what the republican party is about.
   one, sherri dew, spews hate and intolerance. in february, she spoke on threats to the “natural, traditional family,” equating advocates for gay marriage to advocates for hitler’s policies in the 1930s. gee, that’s a solid argument. two people wanting to commit to each other and create a loving family is exactly what hitler wanted. i just do not understand why people see gay marriage as such a threat to their lives. hell, the institution of marriage needs all the help it can get.
   the other, donnie mcclurkin, is just a poor misguided man. quoted in newsday as a “former gay man,” this preacher and gospel singer said that by being hetrosexual, he “broke the curse of homosexuality.” to be shaped by warped interpretations of religious dogma so much that one denies their sexuality and then strongly speak against those who embrace theirs is simply sad.
   and he has also encouraged his denomination to vote for dubya.


2. a moment of silence. my favorite pair of navy blue dress shoes died tuesday. the killer - the streets of new york. they were a stylish, trusty companion for 6 years. and now, i have nothing to wear with my navy blue outfits. i’m at a loss for what to do in their absence. i am taking donations and cards at my email address. i’ll have an appropriate memorial when i have recovered from my grief.
   
3. the pain of rejection i tried to give blood today and was shot down. i’m going to start to develop a complex. every time i have tried to donate blood (4 times now), i’ve been denied, for different reasons each time. attempt #1, i didn’t weigh enough. attempt #2, i had low blood pressure (i think the girl didn’t know what she was doing that time; i’ve never had problems with my blood pressure!). #3, i had just gotten a tattoo (nevermind i got it at a place that uses disposable needles). and now, #4, i’m nixed b/c i’m taking antibiotics.
   i’m starting to think that this whole blood shortage thing they keep talking about is a sham. they’ve turned down my quality blood in three different states on 4 different occassions. i’m just trying to help, man.
   i think the saddest moment was when i had to take off the “be nice to me! it’s my first time!” sticker. i had a brief urge to cry.


4. movie of the week.everyone must go see hero. i saw it last night and was wowed. the fighting was great, but it took a backseat to the plot that kept me guessing, but didn’t seem contrived, the beautiful use of color and cinematography and the heart wrenching love story that had me bawling. i don’t know when is the last time a movie made me cry like that.... it was an emotionally and visually stunning movie.