Presumed to be awesome.

|1| If for some reason you missed President Obama's speech at the memorial for the Tucson victims yesterday, do yourself a favor and ( listen to it now. )


|2| Whataya know. The Earth and Sun aren't static. And everyone has had their sense of self thrown into a tailspin because the Zodiac calendar has changed. But, really, it hasn't. Not if you were born in the Western world, at least. The Western world's zodiac calendar is seasonally based and fixed, so it doesn't shift as the sun and Earth shift. In any case, even if it did, I'd steadfastly refuse to believe that I was anything other than a Virgo with Libra rising! *makes an alphabetized list of all the ways she's definitely still a Virgo* :)


|3| If you're an Adam fan, or even if you're not, please read this and consider how you might help a great organization raise funds to help gay youth.


|4| ( Some delightfulness from my Tumblr dash! )


|5| ( These new photos of Darren deserve their own number, and maybe their own star in the heavens, they are so wonderful!!! )

I spent several hours this evening at the 1n10 Youth Empowerment Project drop-in house, observing and meeting with the Director of Programs about how I can best help out. I had originally thought that I'd volunteer on the Board of Directors, and I still think I can help in that capacity at some point, but after seeing the kids in this environment, I really think I want to volunteer in a hands-on way with the various programs, at least for 6 months or so, before serving on the Board. I want to see what 1n10 is doing and get to know the kids they're helping, before I focus efforts on management and fund-raising.

The kids tonight really struck a chord with me; there were about 25 or 30, male and female, all between the ages of about 16 to 23 or so, many were black or Latino, and most were either homeless or had experienced homelessness. They were also bright and feisty and funny and insightful. Tonight was their Activism Crew night, where they discussed various ways in which they can be activists around issues that are important to them. I was so impressed with their discussion around really heavy subjects like homelessness and immigration reform. Mostly, it was a safe space for them to tell their stories and speak their mind, without judgment. I was impressed by the staffs' and volunteers' capacity to listen and to create a safe space for these young people.

So, the plan is to sit in on a few more program nights. I'm told that, other than the kids being queer, the demographic of each group is very different, and thus the needs of each group differ greatly. The needs of the kids at the YEP house are pretty basic: a safe space, a hot meal, information about resources when needed and available and adults willing to listen without judgment. After I've observed the different groups, I can decide which I'd like to work with on a regular basis. I'm glad I went in with an open heart and mind, because I think that working in a more direct way with these kids is likely to impact me profoundly, much more so than just attending a monthly board meeting.

Hm. I didn't really mean to ramble on quite so much about that. What I meant to ramble on about instead was tarot and the fact that I'd really like to read more often this year. I read for myself fairly often, and I'm starting to feel comfortable with the cards and symbols and what they mean to me. But I'd like to read more for others and practice articulating some of the things I think and feel about to the cards with, you know, actual words that are outside my head! So, if anyone would like a new year reading (it still counts as the new year as long as we're in January!), let me know! I'd love to do a tarot reading for you!

Yesterday morning I met zoniduck, llandaffaz, and several other local Adam fans to discuss ways in which we can help the efforts of 1n10, a great organization, providing much needed resources, support and safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth here in the Valley. We're putting together Adam-related and other items for the silent auction that will take place at 1n10's annual fundraising Fresh Brunch next month.

We're also working to fill a couple of tables at the brunch. I'll be there! If you can, consider buying a ticket to attend 1n10's Fresh Brunch or buying a ticket for a young LGBTQ person to attend. (If you do buy a brunch ticket, make sure to note in the "Additional Information" box that you'd like to be seated at an Adam fans table or give my name directly, so that we can track the impact we can generate as a group.)

It was great to meet some other local Adam fans. It was also especially nice that the Executive Director of 1n10 came by to meet us and give us more information about the organization. I was glad to be able to talk to him about ways in which I can be involved beyond what we're doing as Adam fans, and I'm so excited about working with this organization!

It was a good morning. (Until I got home and saw the news.)

In unrelated news, except for the way in which it provided a very needed distraction this weekend, holy smokes, Spartacus: Blood and Sand is fucking brilliant!!! Yeah, yeah, I'm a little late in realizing this, but between having to wait for it to come out on DVD and not having many kid-free moments in which I could watch it, I only got around to watching the entire season this past week and finished it today. Jfc. It's brutal and raw and holds absolutely nothing back. The characters, all of them, are complicated and compelling. And, damn, I haven't had that much sheer gorgeousness, naked gorgeousness at that, on my screen in a long time! And the way the season ended? GodDAMN. That took balls.

I'm sad that Andy Whitfield wont be back for a second season (good thoughts to him on the personal battle he's facing), but the rest of the cast was so brilliant and the writing team incredible, that I'm totally looking forward to seeing what they come up with for a second season and to the Gods of the Arena prequel. This is just some damn good television!

Let's see, what other happier parts? Oh, yeah. Football! Although, really, I was not particularly pleased with a lot of the outcomes. The Saints managed to lose to the Seahawks. Yeah. The damn, losing record, hugely inconsistent Seahawks. *shakes head* I would have liked Vick and the Eagles to have played deeper into the playoffs, if nothing else just to piss off the haters. Of the good, though, there won't be any more Peyton Manning in my post-season and Jason Taylor looked deliciously happy when the Jets pulled off their win. So, I'm calling this a happy part of the weekend! :D

So, how 'bout all of you? Tell me about your happier parts! (Ooohh, that sounded dirty! *g*)

I post lots of pictures and videos and quotes and assorted sparkly things on my Tumblr. Those that follow me there or on Twitter will have seen these, but from time to time I'll also be bringing some of the delightful things on my dash over here. Sharing is caring and all that. *g*


1. ( This quote is going to be one of my themes for 2011 )



2. ( My J2 button hadn't been hit in a long time. But this picture hit it so damn hard. )



3. ( What the hell, Matt Bomer??? Warn a person, will ya, when you’re gonna let someone crawl between your legs and snap a picture. Because, godDAMN, this view requires a little mental preparation beforehand. *brainmelt* )



4. ( Chris Colfer is doing a damn fine job of growing up. Perhaps in another year or so, I won't feel like such a dirty old woman for noticing these things. *g* )



5. ( Darren Criss totes pings my competency!kink. )

Happy Wednesday, everyone!!! :D Insomnia kicked my ass last night and I didn't actually get to sleep until after 5 this morning. Four hours of sleep make me highly grumptastic. So, I'm trying to practice that whole sparkle harder, smile bigger, act "as if" mindset until I'm more caffeinated and feel a bit less like sticking a spork in everyone in the world! So far I haven't actually maimed anyone with a plastic utensil, so it might be working. *g*

So, yes, sparkling harder now! In fact, the world is sparkling way hard today because today is the day we celebrate the birth of the ever fabulous azewewish!!! Brenda, baby, the Universe was certainly smiling in my direction when it brought you into my life. You are one of the most intelligent, articulate, capable, beautiful, AMAZING women I know. Your friendship is such a brilliant, treasured part of my life. You are a sister of my heart and I love you. I wish for you the most fabulous year yet, full of love, friendship, laughter, good times, lots of amazing sex, and plenty of hot men! *mwah*

Since we're on the subject of awesome people, let's talk about Darren Criss, shall we? *g* If you have no idea why he's one of my favorite topics of conversation, go check out fantabulous primer on Darren's various flavors of hotness. Seriously, that picspam is one of the best things to exist in this world!

But, wait. There's more! Apparently, Darren had a LiveJournal when he was in high school, and, for unknown yet greatly appreciated reasons, he hasn't removed that gem of awesomeness from the internets! His adorable dorktasticness was apparent even back then. And, really, how can you possibly not be charmed by a boy who writes things like this???

- It's proposterous that naps are a crime. People need them. Don't make me feel dirty about it.

- Why write essays when I can just send naked pictures of myself to colleges?

- Hellz No, Motherfucker, as they say in Bangladesh.

And, really, you just have to go read his whole bit on the LJ Abuse Team. I was literally laughing out loud! :D

Gods, he's just too adorable for this world! *smitten* And, he does adorable things like coach kids at a young actors' camp! <333

I told editorzon that I'd put links to all the videos from his performances last week at the Young Actors' Theater Camp, here for her our mutual enjoyment. If somehow your inner 14 year old girl is not completely smitten and swoony with Darren after that picspam primer and reading his old LJ, feel free to skip the rest of this. But if that's the case, I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LIFE AND YOUR REPRESSED INNER 14 YEAR OLD GIRL!!! *g*

Back to Hogwarts
Teenage Dream
Coolest Girl

(These can't be embedded, so you have to watch on YouTube.)

My last Monday of 2010 was mostly spent doing laundry and packing and getting ready for our Disneyland trip. Rianna is super excited. Rhyan can pretty much care less. :/ In fact, Rhyan is such a little grumpypants and total homebody, that I wouldn't be surprised if the little stinker insists that she wants to go hooooome when we're in the middle of the happiest damn place on Earth! I'll be heartbroken, but not surprised.

Anyway, laundry and packing happened. So did taking down the Christmas tree, which was a bit sad-making. But, at least we won't have to deal with it when we get back home next weekend.

Today was also the last Monday night football game of 2010, and godDAMN that was a nail-biter! The Falcons and the Saints played one hell of a gritty, intense game. I was happy, though, to see the Saints pull out the win and secure their return to the playoffs! Geaux Saints!!! (Um, sorry <lj user="azewewish"! :/ )

We've had a lovely, low-key Christmas. I finally got around to doing some holiday baking, and there is now a whole array of yummy cookies on our kitchen table. Last night it was just me and my mom; I made some yummy gumbo for our Christmas Eve dinner and we got our festive on with some Malibu rum and pineapple juice!

This morning I woke up to Rhyan in the hallway yelling "WAKEY, WAKEY! Time to open presents!" :D The girls had a fun time tearing through the boxes and wrapping paper and after playing with their new toys for while it was blessedly nap time. Sadly my nap was a short one, as I had to get the turkey and the various turkey-dinner accouterments cooking. The turkey is now in the oven and everything else is done. Seriously, I've done enough cooking in the past 48 hours to feed a small army. Obviously, around these parts, food is the reason for the season! *g*

Like I said, lovely and low-key. Whatever winter holiday you celebrate, I hope you've also had a lovely one, surrounded by those you love. And if you haven't yet, help me spread a little holiday cheer!

I think it's patently clear that I love Adam Lambert like I love rainbows and glitter and fabulous make-up and all things sparkly and wonderful in this world. So, it should tell y'all something when I say that even though I absolutely loved Adam's last two Glam Nation shows, Darren's shows at The Roxy were probably the highlight of this trip to L.A. for me.

We had tickets to both his afternoon and evening show. I'm glad we did because even though we timed our arrival at the venue for sometime after the doors were supposed to have opened, there was still a significant line to get in -- a line out in the non-stop rain that drenched the greater L.A. area the entire time I was there. Once we finally made it into The Roxy, we were all nice and damp and Darren was already well into his set. But, on the plus side, The Roxy is a great venue and I was able to find a great spot on the stairs back at the bar to watch the rest of the show. Sweet jam on crackers, that boy is the very definition of ADORABLE!!!

After the first show, azewewish, coolwhipdiva, llandaffaz, and @morgaine99 all decided they would pass on the second show; _lisalisa_ and I, however, went back out to stand in the rain again until they opened the doors for the evening show. I found it both hilarious and indicative of my levels of smitten-ness (totes a word!) that, while I absolutely refused to stand in line in order to get a good spot on the floor for Adam's shows, on Saturday I found myself not only standing in line for Darren's shows, but standing in line IN THE FUCKING RAIN....TWICE!!! *laughs* sabrinagb and editorzon joined me and Lisa for the second show. We managed to grab a table for this show, so not only did we have a place to finally sit and alcohol and food service, but we had an AMAZING view for the show!

The set lists for both shows were the same, so I was able to see what I had missed from the first show. He opened with The Circle of Life!!! Seriously, people, he sings Disney covers! Unironically! I just can't tell you how much I love him for this! <333



( Darren Criss Live at The Roxy )


He was so much fun to watch live. I love his music; he's a freakin' musical genius who can play like a dozen different instruments; and there was just so much talent in his band! And his adorableness factor is just through the roof! He's just too precious for words!!! This is me being ridiculously smitten with Darren Criss! *hearts in my eyes FOREVER*

And it was just SO much fun to watch this show with my girls who were equally as DELIGHTED as I was with Darren!!! Thank you, _lisalisa_, editorzon, and sabrinagb, for sharing the Darren Criss lovefest with me! *mwah*

I finally conquered my humongous To Do list! I'm all packed and ready to head out at too damn early in the morning for L.A. Yay!!!

I am SO looking forward to a long weekend with my best girlfriends, rockin' the last two shows of Adam Lambert's Glam Nation tour, seeing Darren Criss (twice!), Monte Pittman's solo show, showing llandaffaz and Vivian around L.A. and doing all the touristy things that I never do anymore, spending some long overdue quality time with editorzon, azewewish, _lisalisa_, coolwhipdiva and sabrinagb, fitting in some holiday festivities, and all the other assorted shenanigans that are sure to ensue! I'm expecting lots of alcohol to be consumed, plenty of glitter thrown in the air, lots of great music to dance to, great conversations and abundant laughter. Good times shall be had! See y'all on the flip side! :D

(Oh, and thanks for any of those good thoughts sent my way today. The good juju definitely helped and all ended well! Hopefully that will be the last time I'll have to deal with the jackass ex-boss.)

I've been in such a maudlin funk for the past couple of weeks, and it's really becoming rather tiresome. And then the past couple of days I've been so freakin' tired. I think I pretty much slept most of Monday and Tuesday. Which, hello, depression red flag, how are you doin? Ugh.

I am SO looking forward to next week's trip to L.A. A week away and doing things I enjoy with people I enjoy is just what I need to kick my ass out of this pity party I've been wallowing in.

Speaking of this trip, I'm highly amused that I have tickets to 5 different live music events over the course of 4 days! In fact, I have tickets to THREE SHOWS for Saturday alone! Haha! Like I've said, either we rock really damn hard or we are completely crazy! Either way, I love this amazing group of friends who enable these shenanigans! <333

Two of the three Saturday shows are for ( Darren Criss!!! )

Speaking of the adorable Darren Criss, I loved his scene with Chris Colfer in this week's Glee. Sure it was completely lacking in context, and just sort of shoe-horned into that episode, but I DON'T REALLY CARE! That scene was ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I'VE SEEN ON T.V. EVER!!! ( Just look at their wittle faaaaces!!! <333 )

I actually kinda liked this episode beyond just the Kurt/Blaine adorableness. I mean, really, Glee kids and cheesy holiday songs. What's not to love? I loved Brittany and her belief in Santa Claus and all the other Glee kids rallying to make sure she doesn't lose that. And I loved the scene with Coach Bieste. And Sue the Grinch! I'm still pretty MEH on the Rachel/Finn story line, but the rest of it totally worked for squishy, happy, holiday feel-goodness.

Not to be outdone on the ADORABLENESS factor, ( Chris Colfer makes my heart happy with his very existence!!! )

Ok, I have fic recs and some other stuff, but I think I've spammed y'all enough for one afternoon with the ridiculous shit that's brightening up my otherwise gloomy week. I don't know about you, but I certainly feel better about life now! *beams*