I just stepped in a big pile of sassy!

Free tonight? Get out of the rain and into the library!

Sassy! — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:49:27 +0000

Fruit Platter: An Evening with Award-Winning GLBT Writers!

Quatrefoil Library hosts a reading and reception with award-winning GLBT writers Jane Levin, Barrie Jean Borich, Chris Pommier, and William Reichard on June 11 at 7:30 pm. The library is located at 1619 Dayton Ave. in St Paul, MN. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. For more information about the authors, please see details below.

Jane Levin’s poems have appeared in over two dozen publications and the forthcoming anthologies Drash: Northwest Mosaic and Best Lesbian Poetry 2008. She is the recipient of a Howard B. Brin Jewish Arts Endowment grant and a Jerome Foundation/Intermedia Arts Mentorship in Poetry.

Barrie Jean Borich is the nonfiction editor of Water~Stone Review, author of My Lesbian Husband, winner of an American Library Association GLBT Nonfiction Book Award, and a member of the MFA faculty of Hamline University.

Chris Pommier is a poet, freelance writer, editor and recipient of a Jerome Foundation/Intermedia Arts Mentorship in Poetry. His poems have been published in Kingfisher, the Big Q, Right Hand Pointing, and Silent Actor. Currently, he is writing for the grassroots citizen journalism portal, Twin Cities Daily Planet.

William Reichard’s first collection of poetry, An Alchemy in the Bones, won a Minnesota Voices Project Prize, and his novella, Harmony, was the recipient of an Evergreen Chronicles National Novella Prize. He is City Arts Program Director and faculty member of the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs.

The MC for the evening will be Linnea Stenson, Academic Dean at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 2004 Grand Marshal of Twin Cities Pride, and former Director of the U of M Schochet Center for GLBT Studies.

Questions? Please call (651-641-0969) or email (info@qlibrary.org).

Mr. Zonday’s Neighborhood

Sassy! — Sun, 25 May 2008 04:44:02 +0000

I am 99% sure that I saw Tay Zonday today.
Who, you say?
The Chocolate Rain guy!

I was out biking in NE Mpls/St. Anthony Village. First I stopped at Urban Harvest for a sandwich (which, by the way, is right next to Rosackers which I LOVE love LOVE). Then, I went to Caribou for a cold tasty beverage.
Sidenote: NE Mpls needs more bike corrals. Especially in business that aren’t right on the street. There was nowhere to lock my bike. Uncool!

Anyway, I was sitting outside drinking my vanilla cooler when I saw a white Lincoln/Mercury drive up.
The following was my thought process at the time:
“Oh wow. That old lady looks just like Tay Zonday.”
“Hey wait a second - that’s a 12 year old boy.”
“No, that’s Tay Zonday.”
(he goes in to GNC)
“I’m losing it! I saw the new Weezer video yesterday. I must be mistaken.”
(he comes out of GNC)
“OMG That *is* Tay Zonday! Should I say something?”
(he drives off)

At the risk of looking/sounding creepy, I said nothing.
I wonder how I can find out if it was, in fact, Tay Zonday.
Curious.

Dear Hallmark Hall of Fame,

Sassy! — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:29:31 +0000

If you are going to produce a movie about deafness, Deaf Culture, and cochlear implants, please include all of the signing with the frame!

It’s so frustrating to be following along with the signing and then have it cut to someone’s reaction while the other person is still signing. Especially during a conversation involving all deaf people.

Once again, deaf and hard of hearing folks will have to watch a movie about their culture, filmed by hearing people, without respect for their culture. They have to access it through written English (closed captioning).
What a disappointment.

The play is better, anyway (I saw it at Mixed Blood a few years ago).

My gaydar kicks ass

Sassy! — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:32:16 +0000

Thanks, Jason.

KARE11 is so gay these days - first Sven, now Jana (myspace).

Score!

*I’ve yet to see Jana on t.v. Actually, I hadn’t heard of her until I read the above mentioned blog post 20 minutes ago. Interesting.

In somewhat related news (as Sven is their spokesperson), please Dine Out For Life on Thursday! I’ve been going for years now. It’s for a good cause and it’s all kinds of crazy delicious.

Nobody’s Going Uptown

Sassy! — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:35:08 +0000

Calhoun Square sucks < -- (not worth linking to - the website is outdated and very few of the shops listed on there are still open).
There, I said it.
There's nothing there!
Ever since Beeswax left, the place just hasn't been the same.
I did manage to score a bracelet at ZRS Fossils (http://www.zrsfossils.com), for what it's worth. Looks like most shops are closing there within the month.

The Lotus - closed (http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/dining/16594551.html). (NOOOO!)
Gelato place - closed.
Cigar shop - closed.
Luggage place - closed.
Upstairs? - Not much!

There is a cool magnet shop (http://www.houseofgauss.com/), Magnetic Originals, on the second level. I talked to the owner, Jeff, for quite a while. Great guy. He has some nice art work up there. I'm really interested in one of his smaller paintings. Unfortunately, it's not for sale.

Thank goodness (http://magersandquinn.com/) Magers & Quinn across the street is still open. I still can't manage to leave that place without buying a book. :)

*html code is being wonky at the moment

A Walk In The Park

Sassy! — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:21:38 +0000

Yesterday, I hopped over to the other side of the river and went for a walk in Battle Creek Park.
The weather was perfect!
Some of the path was a bit muddied over and other parts were still covered with snow.
The 65 degree temperature and sun are no match for the pine and birch shade, I guess!

I walked and walked - for about 90 minutes.
Here are two photos that I took during the walk.
1) during a rare moment of clouds blocking the sun
2) swamp-tastic

I’m headed outside again today.
I’m determined.
It’s DARK and raining like crazy. I have stuff to do at home, but damn - a girl’s gotta move.

In random news - my VCR/DVD clock jumped ahead one hour.
Now I’m questioning what time I went to bed last night - perhaps I got one more hour of sleep than I thought?
Perhaps. That would be nice.

Saving Hearts All Over The World Tonight

Sassy! — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:29:49 +0000

Lately I’ve been interested in a lot of music that makes me feel like a teenager.
I suppose I do act like one from time to time.
It’s a job hazard.

I have also been annoyed with many typical “teen” things. One text speak that bugs the dickens out of me is “idk” (for “I don’t know”). I see it at work way too often, was text’d it today, and my bff just used it in an IM. Actually, it’s fine in text or IM but in formal writing? No way!

Anyway, I have felt quite silly in my musical taste/tendencies as of late.
Here are two examples:

1) I love the “Touch My Body” video (link here).
It cracks me up.
Something about the nerdy guy fantasy - I didn’t pay enough attention to the video the first time I watched it and I kept wondering why she was into laser tag, playing with remote control cars, and frolicking in costume with horses.
OF COURSE. It’s the nerd’s fantasy. Rock on.
I think all of this stems from the fact that I had a few really hot friends growing up. I can totally relate to the “compu nerd” in the video.

2) I’ve been enjoying “With You” by Chris Brown.
It took me a while to find out who the singer was. I thought the lyric was “saving hearts all over the world tonight” (which I, apparently, was relating to), but I was incorrect. I still like the song, though the video doesn’t do as much for me as Mariah’s. Click here to watch it.
I also thought he said “I need to move” at the beginning of the song. He actually says “I need you boo.” Hmm. See, now, what if I mishear stuff all the time and run around liking multiple songs for all the wrong reasons? That’s trouble, I tell ya.

Enjoy!

Two hours later - two more. :)
1) Sexy Can I by Ray J (ooh dirty)
2) Take a Bow (no video yet) by Rihanna (a quality bitter break-up song)

R.E.M. speeds things up with “Accelerate”

Sassy! — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:43:55 +0000

Late last night/early this morning, I purchased a copy of Spin magazine at the Las Vegas airport.
R.E.M. was on the cover and I couldn’t help myself.
I, like many of their fans, have not been too fond of their last few albums. That’s not to say that i didn’t enjoy a song here or there - I love “Daysleeper,” “Bad Day,” “Imitation of Life,” and “At My Most Beautiful.”
None of their last few albums were as palatable through and through as their earlier stuff, that I would attest to.
Regardless, I love R.E.M. and am excited for their new album (click on “Accelerate” to hear sample tracks). It’s garnering great reviews, and some controversy. Michael Stipe, as he has done for many years now, mentions his boyfriend in the interview. Apparently people didn’t know that he was queer? If you’ve read articles about R.E.M. for the past 10+ years, I would say that it’s pretty obvious that Michael is not hiding his sexuality. Go figure.

In response, he released this adorable tongue-in-cheek video. Check it out.

If you’re an old R.E.M. geek like me, I’d suggest picking up a copy of the latest issue of Spin magazine. The article was very well-written and included some nice photos. Is it April 1st yet?

Added (3/23) - hear R.E.M. live at SXSW (click this link) - Thanks, Stacia!

It’s March!

Sassy! — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:18:49 +0000

*I began writing this post on March 1st or 2nd. Whoa. I really need to pick up the pace here!

I’m so glad it’s March.
In honor of this fabulous month and the springtime that is coming closer each day, I am going to write all about me.
ME!

What’s new in my world… well…

I cut my hair! I’m so happy - I was growing it out for-ev-er (or so it felt) and kept it long for nearly one year before giving it the old chop chop. Visual aid: (before) - I don’t have an “after” shot yet. Honestly - I couldn’t be happier.

Loving Sarah Waters’ book, Affinity. I bought it at Amazon, from the owner herself! I’m not sure if she’s ever been working the register when I’ve been in before. Not that I recall at least. What a great bookstore. What an engrossing book. I’m on page 100something. Quite an interesting read so far!

I got back from Las Vegas bright and early this morning. I had a great trip - much different than my last one. This was my second time going to Vegas. I spent too much money gambling. I think that happened because we didn’t go to any shows this time. I went with three other folks (my mom, her friend/co-worker, and my friend/co-worker). Highlight of the trip - getting my photo taken on the starship enterprise (as captain!). I exclaimed, as the four of us (two strangers and my friend) walked toward the simulated deck, “This is the geekiest I’ve ever felt in my life, and I love it!” To which, the other woman with us replied, “You’re among friends.” I love trekkies. Also, Star Trek: The Experience is totally worth the 32 bucks that it costs to go (with a $10 off coupon). There are two rides (each 20 minutes long), a museum, a gift shop, and a restaurant. I’d highly recommend it. I’ve only seen the original star trek and star trek the next generation and I had tons of fun.

I’m unbelievably introspective today. It’s freaking me out a little bit, but I’m working my way through it. Namastie, bitches!

The New $5 Bill

Sassy! — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:38:39 +0000

I received my first new $5.00 bill in Las Vegas yesterday.

Today, I spent part of it at McDonald’s (mmm… McFlurry…).

Cashier: Ooooh! OMG* - It’s purple!
Me: Yup. It’s new.
Cashier: (soft cheer of elation)
Me: I got it in Las Vegas - they’re so new they don’t even work in the slot machines.
Cashier: You rock. You are so awesome just for bringing this in. I’m going to go show everyone.

Nice.

*Note: he did say, “oh em gee” - text/Internet speak is taking over!