Presumed to be awesome.

I babysat Rhyan today. We read books and made up our own gibberish language and played silly games and put sparkly lip gloss on each other and generally had a FABULOUS time. Of course, all of these shenanigans meant I got absolutely nothing productive done at all. Rhyan's giggles were totally worth the lack of productivity, but now that her mom is home I really should get working on my to do list.

Riiiiiight after I waste a bit more time online! :D

There were awesome things that happened today (other than the adorable Rhyan giggles), but this is the awesomest: Obama's DOJ will no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA!!! You guys! This is HUGE! That letter from Holder to Congress outlines the legal analysis so perfectly. This isn't the end of the fight; the executive statement only applies to Section 3 of DOMA (although and the fact that the DOJ won't defend the statute in court doesn't mean that they're not still obligated to enforce it; but it is definitely the beginning of the end for DOMA. About damn time!

Also awesome? I managed to snag tickets for the Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae "Hooligans in Wondaland" Phoenix show in June!!! I'm fully expecting this show to rock my world!

White Collar's ridiculous OT3-ness in this week's episode was also fabulously awesomesauce! Seriously, that scene with Neal and Elizabeth! Bring. him. home.!!!!! And Neal's slow-mo run of heartbreak and terror when they take Peter. And Peter being all fabulously competent and HBIC even when handcuffed and locked in a cage! And the secret message, and Peter knowing Neal could get him out, and Neal choosing keeping Peter alive over anything else. And the hug! And, ahhhh, just all of it! <333

Glee was kinda a hot mess yesterday, but even when it is I still love it. Santana doing body shots off of Brittany!!! Seriously, the show could have ended there and I would've been happy! Also, Kurt looked fabulous. And I actually thought the conversation with his dad added some complexity and layers that can be interesting. The whole "I might be bi, no, wait, definitely gay" thing was a mess. But...pretty people singing awesome songs! Also...Britana body shots! Thoroughly entertaining! *g*

Hawaii Five-O continues to be ridiculously pretty and fun. I'm shallow -- this is really all I ask for from my television entertainment. (See above. *g*)

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!