Wake me up, before you go-go, take me dancing tonight!
It's true. Today's the 15th anniversary of my 29th birthday.
According to Wikipedia, on this day in history:
My arrival did not apparently make the list. None-the-less, thirty-fourteen years ago I came into this world. Legend has it, rather quickly, before Dad could park the car. Glad I could at least, spare Mom too much trouble at the start, I suspect I made up for that in the teen years.
Today is also Lady Gaga's birthday, which I think is kinda cool. For a very long time, the most significant people I shared a birthday with were Dianne Wiest and Ken Howard. Fine people I'm sure, but not the most exciting names in history.
Anyway, I have a birthday wish.
Send my buddy indiemcemopants to NetRoots Nation this summer.
In case you missed it over the weekend, Saturday, RadioGirl and KelleyRN2 collaborated on an awesome community diary. They wrote:
Celebrating indiemcemopants:
fundraiser for a fine, fierce blogger.
You’ve undoubtedly read at least some of his diaries on disability, LGBTQ struggles, torture, and other issues, all of them characterized by that singular indie voice that is at once smart, fiery, bold, blunt, and powerful.
The effort is to get indiemcemopants back to Netroots Nation again this year, and it was a tremendous success. The goal was $2,800 (see the diary of a fully transparent accounting of how Team indiemcemopants got to that figure). We were amazed to get to $2,000 in a day.
We're just a little short of the goal, but don't worry, operators are still standing by:
If you have a PayPal account, please plunk funds into Kelley's PayPal account under KelleyRN2(at)gmail(dot)com). Simply sign in to PayPal, click the "Send" tab at the top, enter Kelley's e-mail address where asked, enter the amount to donate, then look for the button near the bottom to donate.
OR - if you're just not a PayPal person and would prefer to send a contribution directly to indie, please message KelleyRN2 or me here on at DKos for a snailmail address.
I'm pretty sure we can count on seeing him there this summer. I for one, cannot wait. This community delivered such a mitzvah on Saturday, so many people pitched in. It's so awesome that a young guy who faces some pretty tough challenges can find his way to the GOS, find his voice and find a supportive community. And maybe this summer he'll have some new adventures and meet some great people like he did last year:
Here's a word of thanks from indie to all those who contributed, whether monetarily, or with the rec button that kept RadioGirl's diary glued to the top of the Rec List for most of the day. That was clearly a big help in keeping our efforts visible to the community (hint, hint).
The Writer Mcemopants
I just want to thank all of you for this. Because of everyone in this community's unflinching and bewildering generosity toward me, even when most of you have never even met me, I no longer have to worry so much about things going on right now. I was feeling incredibly hopeless, because I was just about ready to be able to go to Netroots Nation and to see my friend I've known since I was fourteen years old - someone I've been trying to go visit for so long. When I wasn't having serious paraplegic-related health issues, something else would always happen. And then, less than a week before I was finally able to book a trip, something happened to my computer. It has not been working properly for a long time, but I guess it's finally ready to crash for good, Right now.
I live on my own in an isolated place, so having access to the outside world is something I value. And it's been even more valuable since I signed up to this community in 2005. This place, even with its fights and problems, is incredible. And everyone here is indispensably important. That's why I keep coming back. And so, I was left with choosing between actually having access to the outside world or visiting a lifelong friend I've tried so hard to visit for so many years. And I have severe anxiety problems (which I've written about before) and all these things have been weighing on me. So, I guess what I'm saying is that not only is this community helping me to stay afloat without completely emptying my savings account, but you have helped me gain peace of mind. And I don't know how to repay something like that. I appreciate it more than you could possibly know. With your help I don't have to agonize that something at some point will go wrong and I will be stuck without options. I don't have to, as I told Nurse Kelley and RadioGirl, make a completely fear-based decision about things that will impact me this much.
So thank you. You all are amazing.
---------
As he mentions above, he's having some computer issues. So he may or may not be online to extend thanks, and rec your comments, etc... Technicians are working night and day to solve the problem (and by that we mean scouring BestBuy for a bargain).
I know what he's talking about because I have felt the love and support of this community as well. And it is a very empowering and happy feeling. Kos had my back and kept me powered through the DADT repeal effort and in its aftermath as well. I owe a debt of thanks to everyone here as well.
Actually. I do one have more birthday wish. Few things in life would make me happier than being able to wed in the state I call home. (It's purely a theoretical pursuit, one of those things might make me happier is to find the person I'd like to actually wed, but that's another pursuit.)
So, if you're a New Yorker, I'd sure love for my home state to pass marriage equality this year. It's an uphill battle and we'll need every voice. But it looks like the budget battle is winding down in Albany, so it's time to turn up the heat on the next agenda item. We have some unfinished business from 2009.
So, please let your legislators know you expect them to help deliver on Governor Cuomo's promise to make New York a marriage equality state in 2011 Call the Republicans too (I know, it's painful). The best scenario will require two votes out that caucus, and more likely, 5 or 6. The people want this, latest polls out of New York show 56 in favor, 37 opposed. And guess what? The city numbers are 55/37, so it's not just those hip, young metropolitans. It has solid majority support across the state. Even 63% of Catholics in a recent nationwide poll.
The switchboard in Albany can direct you to your Representative if you give them your address.
Senate: (518) 455-2800 • Senate Web Site
Assembly: (518) 455-4100 • Assembly Web Site
It'd be great to see some straight allies turn out for LGBT Equality and Justice Day in Albany, NY on May 9th, to help us send the message.
If you're not in New York, you could call and say you are. Ooops, that would wrong. Scratch that. Call your own legislators and tell them it's time to get with the program. As one of my favorite New Yorkers says:
"I truly believe that this gay rights agenda
is the civil rights march of our generation."
Then I can get started on finding a financé.