Tis The Season?

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE autumn. I love the cool weather, the changing leaves, all of it. Over the past year or so, there is one thing I kind of forgot about...the flu. Oh yes my friends, I have been hit with the pain the ass flu. Is it the swine flu? you may ask..my answer-I don't know..but I do know it is beyond annoying. It has been a while since I've been this sick. I should have seen it coming though, my sister got sick about 2 days before I did. She has been sick for about 5 days now...and it's not looking much better. I first came down with a sore throat (which is still driving me crazy) and massive cold chills (thank god they left). Now I am also plagued with massive head congestion and my left ear feels like it is going to explode. I haven't really slept in two days because when I lay down my head begins to pound, I can't breathe out of my nose, and my throat feels like I swallowed glass. Sick of me ranting? Sorry, but I'm sick of being sick. I'm not one to act as though when I get the flu it's my last days..I just find it very annoying and inconvenient. Oooh! My right nostril just opened! Gah, never mind. The good thing is that I have off work until Friday. Go figure though, I get a mini vacation and get the flu. Oh and did I mention my family is coming to my house for Thanksgiving? Yea, should be interesting. Sorry if I wasted your time with my bitching and moaning. After laying in bed for 2 days, I'm running out of things to do...since sleep isn't much of an option. Ah, my nose has cleared for the moment...I shall enjoy the luxury while I can.

These Are Days

Well, it has been a lot longer than expected since I posted my last blog. I’m not even sure if anyone has read my previous/first post. But I felt that the time is appropriate to make another post. As I mentioned in my first blog, I am a young gay man from a small town. It has been pretty tough at times coming to terms with my sexuality. Finally, 3 years after coming out to my friends and my parents, I can say I feel pretty good at where I’m at with my identity. It has been a struggle with my mom, who with all respect, is very selfish and likes to make things about her. She has sent me into my darkest hours. After 3 years of us not really communicating with one another, she has finally come around. I think that it helps that I have become some what of an activist for LGBT youth.

I hold the Matthew Shepard story very close to my heart. I have been reading the book his mom, Judy Shepard, wrote called The Meaning of Matthew. It has affected me in ways I didn’t think possible. On October 28th 2009, 11 years after Matthew’s murder, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act was finally signed into a law by President Obama. Now I am not a political person, but I can tell you that President Obama has gained a lot of respect from me. I was so happy that my mom could share the happiness with me. I was shocked when she told me how proud she was of me for being involved in all that I am involved in. In times where it seems as though there is so much dark in the world, I feel like this was a little ray of light. If you don’t know the Matthew Shepard story, please pick up Judy Shepard’s book, it will forever change you.

Reading Judy’s book, and witnessing the changes occurring within the LGBT community, it makes me so very proud to be who I am. And to those who are struggling with finding themselves, understanding themselves, accepting themselves....it is a long and difficult process. At times you will be full of doubt, anger, and questions that seem to have no answers. But the answers will come, the light of understanding will come. Hang in there. As I listen to the song “These Are Days” by 10,000 Maniacs, I can’t help but smile and sing along. Times are changing. Be a part of the change. :-D)

songs of the moment:

These Are Days-10,000 Maniacs

True Colors-Cyndi Lauper (if you’ve never heard the acoustic version, buy it on itunes asap!)

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