Are Massacheusets and Connecticut too far to go to get married if you're gay and living on the West Coast? Well, why don't you just hop into your car and drive 1500 miles to Iowa?

Yes, you heard me right. The Great State of Iowa, home to humble Republican farmers, has legalized gay marriage.

For a more complete picture on the subject, here is a local article.

I'm. . . wow. Just wow. Fucking Iowa.

So, I've found myself a job. Hooray for me!

I'd like to say that it's been grand having this journal, but I pretty much dropped the ball in keeping it updated. So, officially, "The Joys of Being Unemployed" is over without ever having gotten off the ground. However, I do want to keep journaling on a regular basis, so I'm probably going to reconfigure this space. As soon as I figure out what, exactly, I want to do with it.

I'll let you know.

Finished my week of pre-Imbolg preparations. House is clean and cleansed. Ditto me. However, this has been a bad week for me, energy-wise. I'm just so drained. . . I've never had to push myself so hard just to clean my stupid house. Now I know why it was called a woman's "low time of the month" in polite circles in ages past. . .

Well, it's one week until Imbolg, and I've started my cleaning. Day One: Kitchen Part A. Did all the cabinets inside and out, and finally put down the liner I bought six months ago. Four hours just to do that.

In other news, I finally got my father's package. He's had this passionate love affair with the Magic Bullet for several years, and in spite of me telling him repeatedly that I already have a blender, he bought one for me. Because it's not a blender, it's a Magic Bullet. Of course, the reason he gave me is that he got one for my brother, and because there's this extra-special deal where if you buy one for the rock-bottom price of $99.99, you get a second free, he had an extra one kicking around.

Personally, I find the whole thing ridiculous. It's a blender designed to make one-person portions, which I can do with my normal blender. Also, since this "deal" is pretty much permanent, one Magic Bullet basically costs $50. My regular blender cost me $30 on sale at Target. And it has twelve speeds. And only seven parts to clean. And the pitcher is bigger, which means I can purée soups in it.

So, now I have to find some place to store the stupid thing. Yay. Well, at least the juicer attachment seems interesting. If I ever bother to use it, which I doubt, since I hardly ever use my blender right now.

Well, it's the first full day on the road to fixing the country. Congratulations to everyone who voted for Obama and helped make this happen. For the rest of you who voted for McCain, we'll let you tag along for the ride. Okay, yeah, I can't tell you you can't come; it's your country, too. Still, you voted for Palin?! Come on!

Just for fun, here's last night's Daily Show interview with guest Bishop Gene Robinson. The first minute's well worth it:



Gotta love those religious leaders who actually have a sense of humor.

About an hour ago, I observed a neighbor pitching a full-grown, healthy Norfolk pine in a pot that he had used as a Christmas tree. So bizarre. Who blows fifty bucks for something that lives for decades, and then just pitch it in the trash a few weeks later?

So I rescued it. There's my holiday tree for the next twenty years taken care of.

Yeah, I've been quiet for a while. That's because I'm boring. Here's a brief list of things I've actually been doing:

1. Job search.
   
2. Re-reading Karen Chance novels.
   
3. Watching way too much television.
   
4. World-building. Finally.
   
5. Writing for Skippy's List. Speaking of which, I have a new "article" posted today. Check it out, if you want to see me in one of my more violent moments.
   

This past week, saavedra77 got me into Generation Kill, a seven-part miniseries about the Marines in First Recon during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It's incredibly accurate, and incredibly moving in both positive and negative ways. I'd love to go into more detail, but my brain's not functioning too well. . .

One thing I loved about it, though, was the humor. The dark, crass, totally inappropriate humor. ( Here's a little taste. )

Thirty years old today. Meh.

Urban Dictionary's word of the day:

Festivus

n. An alternative to the crass commercialization of Christmas, typically celebrated on December 23. It involves The Airing of Grievances (telling your family and friends all the ways they have disappointed you during the year) and does not end until the Feats of Strength (pinning the head of the family) are accomplished. A plain, metal pole is used in lieu of a Christmas tree, because decorations (such as tinsel) is distracting from the true meaning of the holiday.

A Festivus for the rest of us! -George Costanza

Recently, erynn999 had a post about the difficulties of interfaith dialogue. Now, I personally avoid interfaith dialogue as much as possible; my faith is pretty loose at the moment, and my faith is very personal and individual, so I don't want to get into it hammer and tongs.

( However, a few comments helped solidify something that's been swimming around in my brain regarding the problem with religious conflict today in the US. )

Okay, so not really. But I got a boat-load of chores done today, so I am feeling pretty full of myself. I won't go into details, since most of them are pretty nasty. Like the oven. The oven was bad.

Now, all I have to do is remember to wash the dishes after dinner.

And now for a shiny new change of topic.

Last night, due to a long and meandering conversation, I told saavedra77 about the myth where Loki wrangles Thor into a dress. Since it had been a while since I actually read said myth, I couldn't remember the particulars and promised to find it online. For anyone who's interested, enjoy.

Been a quiet week, which I'm enjoying. I need to finish cleaning my oven, though.

And now for a few links. . .

Racism at its finest. I'm sorry, but when you name your child "Adolf Hitler" and then ask for their birthday cake to be decorated with a swastika, guess what? You're a Nazi!

On a lighter note, Sido, Japan has been selling samurai-themed boxer-briefs like hotcakes. Heh.

You may or may not know this, but Revlon quietly ended all animal testing way back in the 1990s. However, they've been at a loss for new subjects, and PETA apparently has suggested an alternative. Well, according to The Onion, which we all know is such a reputable source of news.

Speaking of plant abuse, I stumbled across someone who shares my opinion on people who think plants aren't alive:

Well, things are looking up a teensy bit on the employment front. I received a call from one recruiter on Monday who, having found my resumé on a website, promised to keep an eye out for me (I didn't meet the requirements for the job they called me for originally). Even more encouraging was the call I received yesterday from one of the places where I applied, and after a quick telephone interview, was informed that they would be holding in-person interviews directly after their holiday break. I have a feeling I'll be on that list--otherwise, wouldn't they just say thanks and hang up? And honestly, this company was on my short list of "OMG it would be so fucking awesome if I could work there!"

Not that some of you reading this would agree, though, based on off-hand comments you've made in my hearing. Still, as much as I love you all, you aren't paying my bills, so ttthhhpppptt!

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam...

Lol Cat

37% Intrigue, 39% Civilization, 63% Humanity, 41% Urbanization.

Take Reincarnation Placement Exam at HelloQuizzy

Argh! I have to spend my next life doing cute stupid things for you damn bipeds!

Okay, one of these days, I'm going to make an honest-to-goodness real post. Promise.

Yes, I am bored. Sigh.

What Your Nose Says About You

You are impulsive and tend to follow your heart. You are objective and logical. You make a good businessperson. You are helpful and giving. You like cooperating, and you're always willing to lend a hand. You are a nosey person and a bit of a snoop. You can't help but be curious! You are optimistic and trusting. You expect the best from people.

The Ultimate Color Test

When you are at peace, you are: Deeply stable When you are moved to act, you are: Giving and warm When you are inspired, you are: Creative and productive When your life is perfectly balanced, you are: Philosophical and expressive Your life's purpose is: To live a passionate life

You Are a Werewolf

You are moody and easily provoked. You are highly loyal and protective of those you love. While you can be intense at times, you are generally a laid back person. But if a fight comes your way, you will fight 'til the death if necessary. You seem normal to most people. No one understands how different you can be. It's like a switch flips for you sometimes - and then you're a completely different creature.

What with a whole bunch of computer drama and me wasting a few days on The Twelve Caesars, this is horribly late. Sorry. I'll have episode eleven up in the next day or so, and then episode twelve up later in the week.

( In Which Bill Goes To Trial And Sookie Tries To Make Everyone Miserable While He's Gone )

What Bond Villain are you? I'm. . .



Mwahaha!!!