Apropos of Month-End

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I was clicking and scrolling about the internet and came across an ad for Gorilla Sofa. Imagine my shock and awe when the search bar query yielded multiple images of multiple varieties of magnificence.  

Now, I can't imagine feeling the need to NEED to have such a thing in my living space but several folks across the web exclaimed just that. 

Different strokes and all that whiz. 

Happy End of May.  Happy beginning of P R I D E Month.  

I ♥ LESBOS

daughter and friend, Pride Parade 

This week, Wednesday, my daughter celebrates another birthday. To know my daughter is to know that she is all about her birthdays. She isn't a party girl in that sense of the word but a sentimental soul who appreciates acknowledgment especially in the form of cards (flowers and other trinkets).

I may have fed into her celebratory style over the years by stretching out the celebration, making cards, offering trinkets. On the event of her 30th, for instance, 30 days of testimonials on this blog.

This year is not a milestone year, but monumental none-the-less, because it just is.

This week, Wednesday is also National Coming Out Day.  Also a very momentous day for my daughter and me. She has stood with and supported me from the very beginning.  And of course, I have stood with her and supported her through her own coming out pronouncement. 

This year is not a milestone year but monumental none-the-less because we need the support of one another  as much, if not more than ever before thanks to the current political climate and rollbacks in protections established by the previous administration

I am pleased, honored, grateful to call my daughter my friend, my sister in arms. May she have a glorious birthday week, a fantabulous actual day of celebration and may all the out voices sing out loud, sing out proud toward supporting our sisters and brothers yet to take those tremouls steps toward living their truth.

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Day Before, Day After, Each and Every . . Pride

My First Parade Image Capture

A year ago yesterday, the White House and other sites were bathed in Rainbow Lights in celebration of the Marriage Equality ruling. How sweet that memory is in light of the news over the past year, especially over the past couple of weeks. 

My daughter, who has recently come out as bi-sexual, wrote me a card . . 

June 2016 

" . . . . I want to wish you a Happy Pride! Being yourself is so important in the whole scheme of things! I'm happy that you're happy and taking Pride in who you are, . . . "

Chicago's Pride parade was yesterday. One Million expected attendance meant there would about 999, 990 too many bodies for me, so mine wasn't there and because of work, my daughter wasn't there. 

Still, our  

Pride Runs Deep

for more click:   #MicroBlogMonday   

Too Sharp to B Flat

Photo by Amol Art 

My son ("The Actor") is, through a variety of means (youtube tutorials, books picked up in thrifts, and one-on-ones with working musicians) learning to play the blues harp as well as acoustic guitar.

He's played on the streets to the delight of passers-by, he's participated in open mic type jam sessions at one of the few spaces featuring live music, he has held guest appearances with some featured acts.

The actor has been having a grand time learning, jamming, building his repertoire. Though he isn't striving to become a working musician he does anticipate having music in the mix will further enhance his résumé.

Today is the anniversary of the actor's birth. He continues his slice through time with his usual grace and aplomb; staying in tune and razor sharp to the bone.

 Happy 34th birthday to Bluesman slash Actor.

#MicroBlogMonday Check out Mel and others!

#ProudToLove*

color me amazed by the decision.

#sixwordsaturday

*youtube celebrates marriage equality 

Weekend Wrap-Up, The Story

SUNDAY: The rain didn't start until after I left home at around 9 Sunday morning. I still could have turned back. The bus was still some minutes away. I sip my coffee, contemplating. I decide to go on. I didn't turn back toward home. I figured worst case I'd be damp at the parade, and / or I could always leave mid-parade if it got too bad. But, it didn't. The skies cleared and the weather was just gorgeous. As were the sights, sounds, and sense of community felt throughout the day. *that's my friend Goody, she took the pic.

The parade is as it always (well, the three I've attended) is...full of politicos, costumes, thumpa thumpa beats, and people. Lots and lots and lots and lots of people!!! What I've liked most about the three (well, actually 2 1/2) parades I've attended is the diversity. Younger, older, many cultures, truly a veritable, well, rainbow. THAT is simply divine.

Saturday: The sun was out in full force. I slunk around the condo much of the day, slinking myself right into a headache. My daughter needed her hair braided and while I love my daughter dearly, I no longer love to braid hair. After the braiding we had an errand and it is here I provided the opening for the headache to attack. I took a nap, woke to see USA lose to Ghana and nearly decided not to go to the Pride Fest. Not because of the soccer game loss, but because I was feeling sluggish, tired, and didn't really want to go alone. But, I bucked up, got dressed, and went. And I'm glad I did. It was great, great fun!

FRIDAY: I'd RSVP'd to attend a function after work which I rarely do because it makes for a really long day. But, it was Friday. I didn't have to be up early the next day, so I went to the world premiere of Genderblind.

Here again, it was nice to be among family and given that it was a predominately Black (or African-American) affair, felt even more like a family gathering. I enjoyed the film, but would have enjoyed it more if some technical issues had been addressed prior to the screening. The story is quite powerful and thought-provoking, but the soundtrack got in the way. I also thought the filmmaker a tad too ambitious as the story-line seemed to go off the rails a bit. But, I applaud her effort and diligence in breathing life into her dream. Bravura.

It was a wonderful event and I'm glad I participated, even if it did make for a long day / night (likely contributing to the headache on Saturday).

All-in-all, Pride weekend 2010 was colorful, robust, fun, chock full of a cast of characters, and good times which will blend into lasting memories.