Just a general update on what's going on in my life. :=)

So, Scotty's gone. He moved to TX officially. He's getting settled in his new job. It's odd at night. alone in the house. But I have a new roommate. We're taking care of paperwork tonight. He's a 3rd shifter, so it will still be quiet at night. That will be nice, actually. I'll still get to have some quiet time in the house. But it will be nice to have some breathing room with finances. Anyone who knows me knows how "incidentals" tend to come up on me.

Other than that, things are going well. Just getting settled into the new year. So far, I haven't had any problems writing 2012 on anything. haha. I guess i don't have much to update... hrm. oh well. Peace out!

So, I have my first interview in over 6 years tomorrow morning at 1030AM. it's scheduled for 1.5 hours. There are so many variables that could be good things or bad things. I just don't know. My biggest fear is, will this be the job I hope it is, and will I be the fit I hope I can be?

I'll let everyone know how it goes. I'm excited. This would get me out of the academic unit and into a completely administrative unit on campus. It would allow me to make a difference campus wide, rather than the benefits of my skills being limited to one academic unit.

Now, lets hope I can actually sleep tonight!

So, I saw an article on a friends Facebook page about LGBT groups boycotting the Salvation Army. Wow. There's a lot of crap flying in the general public over it. And quite frankly, it's just that. CRAP!

The Salvation Army's stance is merely based on religious believe. There is no "preaching intolerance" and the LGBT groups that think so are just ridiculous. I really do feel that many LGBT groups are, themselves, intolerant of religions that have beliefs against homosexuality. A lot of those LGBT groups want to do away with any group that expresses negative views against it. Guess what! Just like it's our right to live our life the way we want, and preach what we want to others, IT'S THEIR'S TO DO THE SAME! Let them be, and if you don't like what they say... STOP LISTENING TO THEM!

As Scotty says, "You have the right to free speech, but you don't have a right to force me to listen...". "Do what you want, I'll do what I want, and as long as you don't impede my right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness, we're good."

In response to my second paragraph above, posted on Facebook, one friend wrote this:

"No one wants hatred thrown in their face and then asked for money. Its not about tolerance in this case, its about keeping them out of my neighborhood so I can actually live my life without bullying."

Well, technically, we have access to the assistance that money provides, if we needed it. The SA's policy is to not discriminate against those in need. However, be ready for some preaching, if you live a life that is contradictory to their beliefs. Also... give me one single instance of a bell ringer that YOU'VE SEEN AND HEARD telling you, and the rest of the world, that homosexuality is wrong? A bell ringing is not "throwing hatred in your face". The only time I ever hear about this supposed intolerance is from news articles like this. The only reason I don't like them is that damned bell is annoying. Every bell ringer I have ever seen or heard rings the bell, occasionally says something about supporting the Salvation Army, and says God Bless You, when you donate. THAT'S IT! There's never a message, or preaching involved. In 33 years of my life, not once have I heard a bell ringer preach.

Scotty also said, "It's so funny, conservatives and liberals are the same underneath it all. If you don't agree with their stance, you're intolerant." And it's true. Gay people are JUST as intolerant of religion and others. They're ok with it, as long as it doesn't preach AGAINST THEM. But the second someone's opinion or believe goes against our lifestyle, gay people start flipping the fuck out and become the SAME intolerant ass holes that the religious people can be.

Again, someone said, "People flip out because the world doesnt see us as equal. There is still a fight and if you want to ignore it, thats your right. By saying its ok for other people to view us, is condoning hatred and I personally dont believe it helps us in any way gain equality. By allowing anyone to say my life is against the law, against any religion, or against their personal beliefs, is a hit. Its not about being gay anymore for me, its about being treated, viewed, and respected as an individual just like anyone who fills their hearts with that kind of hate (and it is hatred). I dont have a place for that in my life."

Well, all i have to say... good luck getting EVERY religion to conform to the same beliefs on homosexuality. Because until you do, and they're your views, you're never going to be happy.

And now I'm just getting upset. So, I'll leave it here. You all know how I feel.

-dak

So, MIR weekend went fairly well. Some awkwardness... but... wasn't too bad. ;-) The hotel was very nice. We stayed at the Majestic, off of Addison, in Boystown. Was nice being that close to everything for the weekend. Met new people, caught up with old friends.

Friday was a bit stressful... having the collar removed and all. I know it was my choice, and I feel it was the right one, but it still hurt. And I know it hurt Rob. I think he understands, though. It's odd how naked you feel after having a collar on for so long. It's not a heavy object, but you notice it's absence. I still grab for it when i get stressed, upset or down. And it's not there.

I did get to have some fun in a vac rack, though. First time. It was one of the cubes. The last couple seconds before all the air was pulled out of the cube was a bit... odd. I wasn't sure i was going to be able to breathe. You could definitely feel the change in pressure. But it was fun. They didn't hit me too much. Just spent most of the time tickling me. haha. I got rather loud! Apparently it was "precious". Though, John Reddy... really? The Boob! Knew one of my OCD's was a crooked nose ring, so when I got into the cube, and couldn't do anything about it, he came and made my nose ring crooked. *sigh* I got it straightened out with my tongue and lips, though. TAKE THAT!

Had some great chat and time out with Mike, and an amazing day trip back to Lansing with Paul. Found some GREAT new restaurants in Chicago. One of the best of the weekend was with Beau for lunch. Shit. i forgot the name. I'll have to look it up. Sun Wah or something like that. AWESOME place!

Well, i suppose i should get back to work. As that's what i'm actually getting paid for. haha.

By 830 AM, i was awake, had coffee made and was researching fire pits. I'm gonna head out and get one this morning, so I can start burning all the fucking branches and shit I've had to cut off of trees. ugh. And a nice fall fire is always a good thing. :-) YAY! Maybe tonight I'll have a few people over for a bonfire. Maybe not. haha.

So I ordered my iPhone 4S yesterday. YAY! I'm glad things worked out to allow me to do that. I'm EXCITED! I opted to NOT stand in line this year. Which means I probably won't have it on the 14th... but... that's ok. It's per-ordered. They say they estimate it will be here in 14 to 21 days. Didn't guarantee it... but... I'll get it when i get it. I've got the 3GS which is working perfectly at the moment.

The weather has been BEAUTIFUL this last week, and will continue until Thursday. It's supposed to be mid to upper 70's and sunny until Thursday, when it's 68 and a 40% chance of rain. This weather really helps my mood and productivity. :-) Hope it stays this way for a bit. I have a LOT of need for productivity.

Ok. Off to get some errands run. And get that fire pit... and fill the car with gas (though prices are down, it's still a depressing chore.) Then maybe some EQ2 later this morning.

Ciao!

Had a GREAT weekend camping and at Mr Michigan Leather. It was just what I needed, to get away and have some "nature" time. Oh, and the bears helped a bit, too. ;-) It was good to connect with so many people i haven't seen in so long.

It was the first time i've had the new tent out. It did well. There was a bit of rain this weekend, and everything stayed perfectly dry the entire weekend. It's a great size for just me. Not much room for any more than me and my shit. But it was nice to relax.

It was also the Mr. Michigan Leather weekend. For which, as usual, I was the judges boy. I knew 4 of the 5 contestants. It was a good one. Congratulations to Woody for coming out on top!

Yah. I think the title just about sums it up. haha. I'm TOTALLY lacking motivation. ugh. Had some things to do after work, and totally didn't go to the gym. Might head out later, but have a pup coming into town from KZoo for the weekend. Maybe i'll just drag him to the gym, too. ;-)

Or maybe we'll just game when he gets here. Though, with the blackout in San Diego... the data center that hosts Sony Online Entertainment's authentication servers is down. So... no EverQuest 2 tonight. :-( At least there's Rift.

Oh, and I just remembered... i need to trim up my hair and get the green dye on it again. Getting ready for another Friday of Football Season. :-) My tradition... mohawk and kilt at work. *sigh* that means ironing the kilt, as well. My favorite thing to do... haha.

Wish the cold weather would go away. Though it's made for some GREAT sleeping at night... in my onesie... YAY!