Random Thoughts of a Crazy Lady

So you all know I love Weeds right? And that show is so pithy and quotable that when I watch, I inundate my twitter stream with quotes. I just can't help myself.

The other day, I tweeted this quote:

Not the most scandalous of my quotes, I know. I mean, I often quote shit like zees:

But then this happened:

Dudes! The Iraqi government retweeted my Weeds quote! For realies! 

I don't know if I should be flattered or worried. Do they watch Weeds? Or do they think my quote is pro-Iraq propaganda? Not that I'm judging that, but I tend to not tweet propaganda if I can at all help it. But maybe the Iraqi government likes my writing skills now. Maybe I could get a freelance gig out of this. snort.  

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Is it weird that I know my cat's cuddle routine?

Jeté is a cuddly cat when she wants to be. And she's not necessarily discriminatory. She's kind of a cuddle slut actually. 

If you come to my house, expect her to crawl up on your lap or, if you're reclining, on your chest. Then you'll be expected to stroke her head, extra points if you scratch under her chin. If you attempt a belly rub, however, run for your life (my other cat, Hobbes, loves the belly rubs though. like a dog.). 

When Té wants to cuddle, it is cuddle time, everything else be damned. If my macbook is on my lap, she'll just crawl right on it. If I'm using my cell phone, she'll headbutt it out of my hand. Cuddle time is crucial, you all. 

If Hobbes is around, he takes precedence, even if she was already cuddling with me. If she cuddles with Hobbes, you can bet that she'll start cleaning him and then he'll start cleaning her and then one of them will bite the other's ear and then it's all out war so watch your head. 

If she's cuddling with me, she will get a good purr on until she has had her fill. Then she'll bite my arm (not hard) or other accessible appendage (my boob once. never again.) to indicate she's finished. Then she'll pick a nice spot on my bed and clean herself. 

And I find myself feeling oddly cheap and used. 

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So Portlanders can be a little, well, colorful. Odd. Weird. Proudly so and it's one of the facets of this city that I find totally delightful. I love people watching anyway, but here? You never know what you're gonna see. 

Today, as I was driving home from the market, I spotted a tall, thin, older, African American man waiting for the bus. He was wearing a white suit with a black turtle neck and Mickey Mouse ears. 

Gotta love Portland.

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I recently got my first wave of homesickness for California. 

And what do you think I missed? The food. 

I miss In-N-Out cheeseburgers animal style. With the best fries in the whole world. Also animal style. 

I miss Baker's Drive Thru (only Inlanders will get that). And mama meals. 

I miss good old California dirty taco stand burritos cooked in lard and smothered in sour cream and salsa. I don't even know what kind of rank hot sauce they use up here but it does not taste right. And, I'm sorry, but onions do not belong in my bean and cheese burrito thankyouverymuch. 

Someone want to send me some food? 

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Today is National Coming Out Day! 

If you don't know already, I identify as queer. Sometimes I say half-gay. I rarely say bi, because, well, that term has become a little dated and still has connotations about sexual identity that I don't agree with and don't think apply to me. I like the word queer because it's all-inclusive. But also because it used to be a pejorative term that the GLBTQ community has reclaimed for a positive identity. I love that. 

Anyway, even if you're not queer, I urge you to come out as a straight ally and get vocal about queer civil rights. Young people, queer and straight alike, need to see that adults in their communities encourage an inclusive, supportive environment for all kinds of people. 

But, as I was reminded recently, young people aren't the only victims of homophobia. I recently made a friend (who will go nameless) who is older than me and, for some reason, felt safe enough with me to come out, but is still too fearful to come out publicly. 

This breaks my heart. That our society still creates such a violent and anti-gay, bigoted environment that grown people still have to live in fear of simply being themselves is absolutely unacceptable. 

However, these people won't know that it's safe to come out if we don't tell them. Don't sit silently accepting assuming it's a given. Come out as an ally! Let your friends and family know that you love all of them unconditionally. You might just be the person someone chooses to come out to. 

*gets down off soap box*