The Pride Parade (portland) was fabulous - not as showy as I expected from other cities (like Atlanta's, San Fran's, etc), but very relaxing in a sexy way. Lots of just genuine cheer, support, even the police had a booth for self defense classes and such. It is so incredibly odd.. its like there is no conflict here that I can find.

Ok, I know it is not true, the few black friends / acquaintances I have here are distinctly unhappy and with really good reason, but that is the only fly in the ointment that I'm running in to. I mean sure, it seems somewhat cliquish, hard to find social groups, but honestly I haven't looked all that hard yet. I think I am just reacting more to the lack of 'southern charm' and 'european hosting rules' - where a new person is instantly greeted, introduced around, and made to feel welcome until they prove they shouldn't be. Here a new person is more like 'uh. ok. someone new. [back to conversation]' I suspect I can get past that as I dive deeper and deeper!

Anyway it was a lot of fun marching with my company. We didn't really have anything set up (the local cabaret and show tunes groups though were fabulous!!), but everyone was enthusiastic, wooping and clapping and cheering, so yay!

(As a total aside by the way, Paris is awesome. Took my pet there last weekend, and she had a ton of fun / made me prouder and happier then I have any right to be and made everyone feel quite welcome. And if you know what that means and want to say hi, go for it!)

I can't believe I have not been hearing more about Iceland... Did you know that they overthrew their government (peacefully), refused to pay off the depts imposed on them, rebuild their country, are no growing their economy, and are individually voting in their constitution via social media and nation-wide discussions? I am sure I must be missing something important here otherwise this would be on the news.... wouldn't it?

Democracy 2.: Iceland crowdsources new constitution | Reflections on a Revolution
(This is word-form, for people who like reading)


YouTube: Crowdsourcing a Costitution in Iceland
Youtube: Iceland has news for the BBC
Youtube: Voters in Iceland Reject Repayment Plan (May, 2010)
Youtube: IceSave Pat 1 - How it all began (Jan 2010)


Oh, and same old, same out: Marijuana is more profitable then Rape for Police (the story they talk about with the woman is actually more interesting, because the guys that got arrested actually were not arrested for that, they actually got caught for something else, and the woman that was raped is saying she is being followed by he police because they think she might have drugs.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

(Not trying to skip Merry Christmas or anything so here is the longer version of the holidays I know are being celebrated around this season and time, for the many awesome people who pick the end of this month to be happy and grateful for whatever their beliefs are):

Merry Christmas! (24th and 25th)
Happy Hanukkah! (20th->28th)
Happy Kwanzaa! (26th->1st)
Happy Yule / Winter Solstice! (20th->22nd)

And the ones I was not as aware of:
Happy Bodhi Day! (really missed this one, was on the 8th)
Happy Pancha Ganapati (21st-25th)
Happy Festivus! (23rd)
Happy Flyig Spaghetti Monster holiday! (somewhere, sometime)
Happy Hogswatch Day! (erm. wrong calendar)


So Happy Holidays and happy days off of work for those of you who get some!