I don't know man, I guess he just inspires me, bro

The Utne reported on a Parisian gallery that commissioned 30 artists to make Obama art. The work will be shown at Dorothy's Gallery.

It's funny that this idea is being actualized by an American in Paris. You'd think it'd be a Parisian in America creating this sort of exhibition. 

Unemployment: part 3

I'm sure this is as boring to read about as it is to live: unemployment. 

As you know, I wasn't feeling too down in the dumps, but then I had a conversation with my mother where she said, "why don't you just move home? You could paint your room again!" By this, she was referring to a semi-creative moment I had when I was about 16 and I painted a juvenile image on my bedroom wall. 

It was as if she asked me to return to her womb. 

And for her to encourage me to move home scared the bejesus out of me, since all we do is fight like 12 year olds on methamphetamines. I guess my eyes were just ripped opened, revealing how bad the staggering economy has hit them as well. 

After spending the day nervous, upset and shaky, I finally resolved to get it together. I drafted my cover letter, and looked up grant writing opportunities around the state, to be correct, I even looked in DC. I realize how little it will take for me to live independently, and how virtually impossible it will be for me to make this little amount of money without getting an actual job, which will cause me to lose what little income is guaranteed me. 

So basically, I have to deliver pizzas on a contractual basis, or substitute teach. Look out shitty side work, I'm coming to getcha. I'm on the hunt, and I'm after you. 

That one...

This is how McCain referred to Obama. He called him, "that one." You should have heard the gasp in the Democratic watching party I was at when he uttered these words.  

Also, "But you know, one of the real catalysts, really the match that lit this fire was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I'll bet you, you may never even have heard of them before this crisis.." McCain, yet again. He's talking to us like we're a stupids! Made me shiver with contempt. 

McCain: awful nightmare

Obama: elegant and eloquent 

McCain: full of shit

Obama: full of light

McCain: couldn't answer a question directly

Obama: clear and concise 

Pre-debate anger

I'm on my way to watch the debates at Gordon Biersch and I just checked in on CNN.  Apparently the progressive, grassroots organization Acorn, with which I worked closely with in the past, is being investigated for voter fraud! This is a load of bullshit. Acorn works to empower people from low income neighborhoods to help educate them on their rights and to register their communities to vote. 

Of course they'd be persecuted. Disenfranchised former felons have to go through a gigantic hassle in order to regain their voting privileges. Ya know why: because they'll vote for change, for progressive government. The Man needs to lay off, because they're losing power. Just look at Wall Street. Lay OFF, whitey (not you, Dad)!!!

No Jay-Z for Monday Morning Miami Crowd

Last night Jay-Z performed at Bayfront Park, and apparently he "got a sore throat," so he couldn't perform this afternoon for the rest of us. I went down to the Obama/voter reg concert this afternoon and of course they sent out some crackly voiced white girl to break the news that Jay-Z wasn't coming. It was about 10,000 degrees, so I guess it wasn't so terrible to go home and hide in the darkness of my room. 

This experience exemplifies my problem with the Dems. They always, always, always pull this type of shit. I love my party, but seriously, they are disorganized. They should have had Trick Daddy or Pitbull in the wings, waiting, just in case this shit happened. Anticipate the worst, friends, and be ready to please the freaking crowd. Please figure it out before it's too late for us. Please!

Some stuff happening in Miami

Must go on Oct. 13 to watch Tony's film at Sweat Records. 

Unemployment: part 2

As you all know, for the first time in a while, I am unemployed. Today I went grocery shopping as a person without a job. I decided to try bargain shopping at Whole Foods. I went in doubtful, and left with some hope. I actually got a few deals. I bought a $3.50 bottle of wine, and got (Whole Foodmade) homemade sausages on sale for .99 each. I bought 4 of them, and that plus bread is like lunch for 4 days, am I right? They have affordable buckets of organic greens and comparable prices on bread and salad dressings. Even with some meat and a 4-pack of Strongbow, 2 full reusable bags came out to $60. I paid the same for one full bag at Publix last week. Whatever, food's expensive and soon, I'll be giving up greens for Ramen noodle. I always wanted to get back to those good old days of college! 

I am concerned, however, about the max amount one might receive in unemployment compensation in the State of Florida. I hear it's $275 per week, which wouldn't cover my rent and bills. I have no savings. The anxiety is building. I would rather someone drown me in my own urine than make me move home with my parents. And the one place I invested was in a 401(k), which is worth 1/3 less than it was worth a year ago. Yup. Real nice. I'll be appealing to family for donations and maybe I'll set up my own paypal account and just look sad and ask people for cash. But then again, donations might take from those immense unemployment checks, and then I'll just break even making $1,100 per month. 

Freedom Mix

I forced my friend Nico to create a Freedom playlist in honor of unemployment. Here's what we got:

Freedom - George Michael

Freebird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Free as a Bird - The Beatles

Free Your Mind - En Vogue

Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf

I'm Free - Rolling Stones

Rockin' in the Free World - Neil Young

Freedom - Rage Against the Machine

Don't Turn Around - Ace of Bace

Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin

There's More to Life Than This - Bjork

Take a Bow - Madonna

Unemployment: part 1

I woke up this morning even earlier than I did when I was working (i.e. yesterday). The reason being: ANXIETY. I knew that my high would fall at some point, and it did at 8 am. Normally when I get anxious, I am like all other crazies, I have to drop a deuce. This time was no different, and my roomie was in the shower for his morning relaxation session. I want him to be relaxed, so I just clenched my cheeks and waited to hear the water turn off. 

I laid in my bed feeling the crushing weight of the day before: leaving work, beachin' it, applying for unemployment, heading out to watch the debates, getting wasted, losing my credit cards, crying in the back seat on the way home. I certainly was not in any way ready to face the day. I thought of the things I'd be adding to my To Do list. All the weight I'd be losing because I have no money for food. My lack of desire to poop myself - I've had enough blows this week. 

After business was taken care of, I moved to the couch, as all unemployed people do. John and Kate Plus 8 were on Regis and Kathy, which now, apparently has neither Regis nor Kathy on it anymore. Then I drifted back to sleep. Thankfully, J. called me to let me know my credit cards were at the Abbey (HORRAY, HURRAH!) and I think she went back to sleep. Martha Stewart is on the Tube and N. might come by so we can... dun, dun, dun, dunnnn: GO TO THE POST OFFICE!! I know. You're jealous. I would be too. Hopefully the anxiety subsides, I am able to enjoy this time off and my bowels forgive me the wait. 

Getting Fired FEELS So Gooooood!

Blogger friends, I am happy to say that I got laid off today. I am not stressed, as this leaves me time to devote to The Bro, Ph.D. applications, and my Halloween costume (TBD). 

I feel the shackles removed from my wrists, leaving them free of my former work-keyboard forever! I suppose I should be sad as were my comrades and coworkers, but to be quite honest with you, I feel lucky to be out of that tragic routine and away from that strangely friendly, yet truly noxious environment. The office was very wet with tears and as my friends and I left with half-empty boxes in our hands. People expressed their love and compassion and, bitch that I am, I turned and said, "Seriously, don't feel bad for us, you're the poor bastards who still have to work here." They were wonderful work friends, but they can always buy me a drink at 5 after they get off work, just as my new day is beginning! 

Those of us that got laid off grabbed a 12-pack and hit the beach. We jumped in the clear water in our undies, sucked down some Presidentes on empty stomachs, stuffed our faces with pizza and then went home. All in all, an interesting day. So, point is, if you know of anyone that needs a grant writer, send 'em my way. Thanks!

Walk it out, bro.

I totally missed this phenomenon, so thank GOD Alfonso noted this brilliance: Walk It Out.

Sorry, I fucked up the link! Watch it. It is FUNNY. 

Aren't you GLAAD I'm miserable?

I have been very mopey and weepy lately, and on Monday, my misery culminated into a disastrous PMS hibernation day. The thing that really brought out the sad bastard in me was the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards that were airing on Bravo.

GLAAD is the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a wonderful organization whose mission is to promote and ensure fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Whew. Mission statements suck. I deal with them daily, and they are still something I cannot totally wrap my brain around.

Anyway, I started watching the show, and it was more touching and empowering than any movie I've seen in the past four years (except for Shortbus... God, I'm so gay). Apparently Barbara Walters attended one of the first of these events 16 years ago, and at the time they were thrilled to have 200 people attending. She spoke about this during her acceptance speech after winning, in a tie, for “My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children.” The little boy-girl on the clip got my eyes wet and then so did Baba's speech.

And let me think, who else made me cry. I would have to say, EVERYONE. I seriously couldn't stop the weepies. Of course there were funny people too, I mean, Graham Norton was on, and he's pretty much the funniest gay Brit ever. And I don't know if you've ever seen the "teen" show Degrassi: The Next Generation, but it's awesome. I think it airs sometime during my hangovers. There are all these lesbos and STDs and stuff. I remember one episode where this girl who looks like she's 12 gives a BJ to this lame guy with a girlfriend and then both girls get the clap. I didn't know about the teen lessies till one appeared at the GLAAD awards, but obviously it is helpful for teens-- those STDs will scare 'em off of sex and the acceptance of same-sex relationships can make them experiment early. Get it over with before college.
All in all, I'm glad for GLAAD! (You knew that was coming, don't hate.)