Poor Mary. She received a $1 million advance from Threshold Editions to pen her political memoir, "Now It's My Turn: A Daughter's Chronicle of Political Life", and it's not selling nearly as many copies as they had anticipated.
Poor Mary. She hates doing interviews to promote her book. In fact, she hates it so much that I'll bet someone put a gun to her head and made her write it.
Poor Mary. She doesn't understand why the LGBT community has turned against her or why no one in the LGBT community will buy her book.
Poor Mary. She doesn't have the balls to stand up to her father's party when they're trying to make it a crime for her to marry the woman she loves.
Who will cry for Mary Cheney? Not me.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
Cock of the Walk
Sometimes I remember who I am.
Being Jake is so natural to me that every so often I stop and think, "Oh, yeah. I'm transgendered."
That is not to say that it's something that I've consciously put on the back burner, because it isn't. There are moments, several times a day, when I think, "Ugh. I hate my body." Or, "Fuck, I wish I could just have surgery and feel better about myself."
But once in a while the fact that I'm transgendered -- and the impact of what it means -- really hits me.
What's to stop someone from beating me to death for the crime of being different? "Hate crime" is still a new concept in this country, and for all of the bluster in the District of Columbia promising harsh punishment for those convicted, just charging someone with a hate crime in this country is still like walking through a political mine field.
It's only been 3 1/2 years since Gwen Araujo was beaten and strangled, and then buried in a shallow grave by a group of young men who discovered that she was transgendered. Just a few short years ago; and while two were convicted of murder and two pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter, not one of them was ever charged with a hate crime.
Signing hate crime legislature makes for good press if you're a politician, but to those of us who see it as that thin line between being worthwhile or worthless to society, it doesn't mean shit if you won't back it up.
Being Jake is so natural to me that every so often I stop and think, "Oh, yeah. I'm transgendered."
That is not to say that it's something that I've consciously put on the back burner, because it isn't. There are moments, several times a day, when I think, "Ugh. I hate my body." Or, "Fuck, I wish I could just have surgery and feel better about myself."
But once in a while the fact that I'm transgendered -- and the impact of what it means -- really hits me.
What's to stop someone from beating me to death for the crime of being different? "Hate crime" is still a new concept in this country, and for all of the bluster in the District of Columbia promising harsh punishment for those convicted, just charging someone with a hate crime in this country is still like walking through a political mine field.
It's only been 3 1/2 years since Gwen Araujo was beaten and strangled, and then buried in a shallow grave by a group of young men who discovered that she was transgendered. Just a few short years ago; and while two were convicted of murder and two pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter, not one of them was ever charged with a hate crime.
Signing hate crime legislature makes for good press if you're a politician, but to those of us who see it as that thin line between being worthwhile or worthless to society, it doesn't mean shit if you won't back it up.
Work vs. Prison
IN PRISON you spend the majority of your time in a 8'x10' cell
AT WORK you spend most of your time in a 6'x8' cubicle
IN PRISON you get three meals a day
AT WORK you only get a break for 1 meal, and you have to pay for it!
IN PRISON you get time off for good behavior
AT WORK you get rewarded for good behavior with more work
IN PRISION a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you
AT WORK you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself
IN PRISON you can watch TV and play games
AT WORK you get fired for watching TV and playing games
IN PRISON you get your own toilet
AT WORK you have to share with the masses
IN PRISON they allow your family and friends to visit
AT WORK you're discouraged from even speaking to family and friends
IN PRISON all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required
AT WORK you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners
IN PRISON you spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out
AT WORK you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars
IN PRISON there are wardens who are often sadistic
AT WORK they are called managers
AT WORK you spend most of your time in a 6'x8' cubicle
IN PRISON you get three meals a day
AT WORK you only get a break for 1 meal, and you have to pay for it!
IN PRISON you get time off for good behavior
AT WORK you get rewarded for good behavior with more work
IN PRISION a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you
AT WORK you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself
IN PRISON you can watch TV and play games
AT WORK you get fired for watching TV and playing games
IN PRISON you get your own toilet
AT WORK you have to share with the masses
IN PRISON they allow your family and friends to visit
AT WORK you're discouraged from even speaking to family and friends
IN PRISON all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required
AT WORK you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners
IN PRISON you spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out
AT WORK you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars
IN PRISON there are wardens who are often sadistic
AT WORK they are called managers
Reality Summer
Okay, summer is officially here - in TV terms.
"Treasure Hunters," which seems to be the love child of "Amazing Race" and National Treasure, premiered last night on NBC; and "Big Brother," my one really guilty pleasure - the show that I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I watch but never miss anyway - premieres (sort of) on June 21st.
I love "Amazing Race." High drama and geography. How can you beat that? I enjoy watching underdog teams pull themselves up by their bootstraps and come from behind to win. I pray each week that teams with socially stunted and/or morally reprehensible players (read: Colin and Christie) are eliminated. And I love, love, love the scenery.
So when I heard that "Treasure Hunters" would be premiering this summer, I was intrigued. Combining the historical and puzzle-solving elements of National Treasure with a globe-trotting race is just too perfect. And, as on "Amazing Race," the players are teams from all factions of American life.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
On "Treasure Hunters," though, they are teams of three instead of two: and the players get to name their own teams. So I found it both ironic and hysterical that the self-proclaimed "Geniuses" disregarded the instructions given them when they boarded their bus with the Young Professionals and instructed their driver to take them to Mt. Roosevelt instead of Mt. Rushmore.
The Young Professionals figured out that they were at the wrong site and informed the Geniuses, and they were the last 2 teams to arrive at Mt. Rushmore. They split up and the Geniuses got to the final puzzle as the Wild Hanlons were making several pathetic attempts to open the combination box. Pat Hanlon, a business owner who was clearly in over his mullet, hid the last remaining box before the Geniuses showed up, and then offered an alliance if they would help him with the puzzle.
The Geniuses showed a clear lack of thought in agreeing and opened the Hanlons' box for them before they even found their own. How dumb was that? They eventually found the ninth box and became the final team to qualify for the next round. The Young Professionals showed up too late and were eliminated.
This year's edition of "Big Brother" is an All-Stars competition and, from a field of twenty previous players, viewers get to pick the twelve they most want to see back in the Big Brother house.
Call me boring, but I can't stand the players who cause the most uproar and controversy, and would cringe if the house was filled with the people I disliked the most. I know that the odds are pretty good that the house will be filled with more socially-deficient people than you can shake a stick at. I just don't have to like it.
Let me think about this... and I'll post who I'd like to see in the house.
"Treasure Hunters," which seems to be the love child of "Amazing Race" and National Treasure, premiered last night on NBC; and "Big Brother," my one really guilty pleasure - the show that I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I watch but never miss anyway - premieres (sort of) on June 21st.
I love "Amazing Race." High drama and geography. How can you beat that? I enjoy watching underdog teams pull themselves up by their bootstraps and come from behind to win. I pray each week that teams with socially stunted and/or morally reprehensible players (read: Colin and Christie) are eliminated. And I love, love, love the scenery.
So when I heard that "Treasure Hunters" would be premiering this summer, I was intrigued. Combining the historical and puzzle-solving elements of National Treasure with a globe-trotting race is just too perfect. And, as on "Amazing Race," the players are teams from all factions of American life.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
On "Treasure Hunters," though, they are teams of three instead of two: and the players get to name their own teams. So I found it both ironic and hysterical that the self-proclaimed "Geniuses" disregarded the instructions given them when they boarded their bus with the Young Professionals and instructed their driver to take them to Mt. Roosevelt instead of Mt. Rushmore.
The Young Professionals figured out that they were at the wrong site and informed the Geniuses, and they were the last 2 teams to arrive at Mt. Rushmore. They split up and the Geniuses got to the final puzzle as the Wild Hanlons were making several pathetic attempts to open the combination box. Pat Hanlon, a business owner who was clearly in over his mullet, hid the last remaining box before the Geniuses showed up, and then offered an alliance if they would help him with the puzzle.
The Geniuses showed a clear lack of thought in agreeing and opened the Hanlons' box for them before they even found their own. How dumb was that? They eventually found the ninth box and became the final team to qualify for the next round. The Young Professionals showed up too late and were eliminated.
This year's edition of "Big Brother" is an All-Stars competition and, from a field of twenty previous players, viewers get to pick the twelve they most want to see back in the Big Brother house.
Call me boring, but I can't stand the players who cause the most uproar and controversy, and would cringe if the house was filled with the people I disliked the most. I know that the odds are pretty good that the house will be filled with more socially-deficient people than you can shake a stick at. I just don't have to like it.
Let me think about this... and I'll post who I'd like to see in the house.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
"63 Things About" Meme
My birthday is fast approaching. I was born in 1963. Therefore, I present 63 things you probably didn't know about me.
1) How old do you wish you were?
18. I’d kind of like to start over and start my transition earlier than I did.
1) How old do you wish you were?
18. I’d kind of like to start over and start my transition earlier than I did.
2) Where were you when 9/11 happened?
In my office cleaning data. Lynn came in and told me that a plane had just flown into the WTC. I said it wasn’t funny and that Manhattan is a no-fly zone. The look on her face got me off my seat and into Stuart’s office, where there was a TV.
3) What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Tip it to try and get my selection out of the wheel of death.
4) Do you consider yourself kind?
Absolutely.
5) If you HAD to get a tattoo, where would it be?
I already have 2. I don’t want another one.
6) If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Spanish.
7) Do you know your neighbors?
I know the ones next-door. They’re my nephew and his girlfriend.
8) What do you consider a vacation/holiday?
That depends on how many days I have off.
9) Do you follow your horoscope?
Nah.
10) Would you move for the person you loved?
Yep.
11) Are you touchy feely?
Not with strangers or mere acquaintances.
12) Do you believe that opposites attract?
Yes but they also repel.
13) Dream job?
Writing for a living.
14) Favorite channel(s)?
All of the Discovery Channels.
15) Favorite place to go on weekends?
My sister’s house.
16) Showers or Baths?
Shower.
17) Do you paint your nails?
Um… NO.
18) Do you trust people easily?
Only until they give me a reason not to.
19) What are your phobias?
Heights.
20) Do you want kids?
Someday… maybe.
21) Do you keep a handwritten journal?
Handwritten??? Good God, no. I haven’t written by hand since I got my first computer. Now I blog.
22) Where would you rather be right now?
In bed.
23) Who makes you feel warm and fuzzy?
My sister and her family.
24) Heavy or light sleeper?
That depends on the meds I took before I went to bed.
25) Are you paranoid?
No… should I be?
26) Are you impatient?
I can be.
27) Who can you relate to?
Everyone.
28) How do you feel about interracial couples?
Fine by me. Love is what you find on the inside, not the outside.
29) Have you been burned by love?
Yes. Thanks for reminding me.
30) What's your favorite pick-up line?
I don’t use lines.
31) What's your main ringtone on your mobile?
I keep my phone on vibrate.
32) What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping.
33) What did the last text on your mobile phone say?
I don’t remember.
34) Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
Mine.
35) What color shirt are you wearing?
White.
36) Most recent movie you watched?
”Happy Endings”
37) Name three things you have on you at all times?
At ALL times? Head hair, facial hair and body hair.
38.) What color are your bed sheets?
Tan and sage green
39) How much cash do you have on you right now?
None. I’m not wearing anything that has pockets. But there’s probably $12.00 in the zipper pocket of my DayTimer.
40) What is your favorite part of the chicken?
Breast.
41) What's your favorite town/city?
Chicago.
42) I can't wait till:
I get a new job.
43) Who got you to join Blogspot?
I read about it 2 years ago in an article about the Washingtonienne (the Capitol Hill intern who screwed everyone on the Hill and blogged about it). So, yeah. A cheap slut got me to join.
44) What did you have for dinner last night?
Black beans and rice.
45) How tall are you barefoot?
5' 6 ½”
46) Have you ever smoked heroin?
I thought heroin was something you shot up. See how much I know about drugs?
47) Do you own a gun?
Nope.
48) What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Diet Coke.
49) What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
My charm.
50) Do you have A.D.D.?
Nope.
51) What time did you wake up today?
6:00
52) Current worry?
Finding a new job.
53) Current hate?
My body.
54) Favorite place to be?
In bed with someone.
55) Where would you like to travel?
The UK, Germany, Italy… a lot of places.
56) Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs?
I have no idea.
57) Last thing you ate?
A chicken sandwich.
58) What songs do you sing in the shower?
”Bless Yore Beautiful Hide”
59) Last thing that made you laugh?
An editorial cartoon about Ann Coulter.
60) Worst injury you've ever had?
When I was 18 my drunk and stoned roommate got mad and slammed my arm in the door and broke all three bones at the elbow. Ouch.
61) Does someone have a crush on you?
Probably not.
62) What's your favorite candy?
Snickers.
63) What song do you want played at your funeral?
”Nashville”.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Back-to-Back Jacks Propel Northwestern to an All-Wildcats Final
My heart can’t take much more.
In a thrilling 3-1 win over NCAA powerhouse UCLA, the Northwestern Wildcats showed everyone that the Big Ten does, indeed, have a place in the Women’s College World Series. For the first time in school history, Northwestern has advanced to its first WCWS championship series and tallied its first-ever 50-win season (50-13). They will face Arizona tonight at 7 p.m. (CDT).
The Wildcats are the only undefeated team remaining in the WCWS, and their power at-bat was evident in the three home runs they scored yesterday.
Senior catcher Jamie Dotson got the rally started at the top of the second inning by driving a 2-0 pitch from UCLA hurler Anjelica Selden over the right field wall to give Northwestern a 1-0 lead.
Junior ace pitcher Eileen Canney allowed the Bruins just three hits in the first six innings; but she also walked a pair and had to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, getting Tara Henry to ground out to short with two outs, as Tammy Williams made a nice running throw on the speedy outfielder's infield chopper.
UCLA struggled toward a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, getting three hits off Canney. Jodie Legaspi led off with a double down the third-base line. After a sacrifice bunt moved her to third, Canney got a groundout to Darcy Sengewald for the second out of the frame. Then Kristen Dedmon’s pinch-hit single allowed Legaspi to cross the plate with the game's tying run.
Going into extra innings, the Wildcats dugout knew that they had to make their next three at-bats count, and neither freshman Tammy Williams nor junior Garland Cooper disappointed.
With back-to-back homers, they brought the crowd to its feet and crushed any hopes of Bruins sophomore pitcher Anjelica Selden salvaging the game for her team. Selden, who last year suffered a similar extra-inning fate in Game 3 of the championship series when Michigan's Samantha Findlay took her deep, Williams and Cooper provided the final margin in Northwestern's 3-1 win.
Last night’s win gives Northwestern the opportunity to become the second Big Ten team in a row, and the second ever, to win the national title.
In a thrilling 3-1 win over NCAA powerhouse UCLA, the Northwestern Wildcats showed everyone that the Big Ten does, indeed, have a place in the Women’s College World Series. For the first time in school history, Northwestern has advanced to its first WCWS championship series and tallied its first-ever 50-win season (50-13). They will face Arizona tonight at 7 p.m. (CDT).
The Wildcats are the only undefeated team remaining in the WCWS, and their power at-bat was evident in the three home runs they scored yesterday.
Senior catcher Jamie Dotson got the rally started at the top of the second inning by driving a 2-0 pitch from UCLA hurler Anjelica Selden over the right field wall to give Northwestern a 1-0 lead.
Junior ace pitcher Eileen Canney allowed the Bruins just three hits in the first six innings; but she also walked a pair and had to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, getting Tara Henry to ground out to short with two outs, as Tammy Williams made a nice running throw on the speedy outfielder's infield chopper.
UCLA struggled toward a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, getting three hits off Canney. Jodie Legaspi led off with a double down the third-base line. After a sacrifice bunt moved her to third, Canney got a groundout to Darcy Sengewald for the second out of the frame. Then Kristen Dedmon’s pinch-hit single allowed Legaspi to cross the plate with the game's tying run.
Going into extra innings, the Wildcats dugout knew that they had to make their next three at-bats count, and neither freshman Tammy Williams nor junior Garland Cooper disappointed.
With back-to-back homers, they brought the crowd to its feet and crushed any hopes of Bruins sophomore pitcher Anjelica Selden salvaging the game for her team. Selden, who last year suffered a similar extra-inning fate in Game 3 of the championship series when Michigan's Samantha Findlay took her deep, Williams and Cooper provided the final margin in Northwestern's 3-1 win.
Last night’s win gives Northwestern the opportunity to become the second Big Ten team in a row, and the second ever, to win the national title.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
