Lyrical Lavender Life

I apologize for posting so late, I don't live under a rock as it probably seems, I have just been busy with the opera production... I noticed a video on Yahoo's News page a few minutes ago about a shooting that took place in a church in Knoxville, TN just yesterday (Sunday) morning. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080728/ap_on_re_us/church_shooting I watched the videos associated with the story and learned that police had found a letter in the shooter's home, written by the shooter, that explained his frustration with not being able to find a job and his apparently passionate opinion regarding the 'liberal movement'. He confessed that he had intended to continue shooting people until the police arrived and he expected to be taken out by them to stop him. He entered the church with a guitar case that concealed his gun and when he pulled out the rifle, he killed one man who tried to stop him from shooting others. Eight others were injured and in serious condition, with t...

Today I'm feeling under the weather and just surfing the web. I ran across this article from last week where another blogger was talking about how a lesbian couple was not allowed to be together while one of them was dying in a hospital in Miami. I don't think I could do a better job than she did in expressing my feelings about this senseless, hateful situation. Keeping two people who love each other and have shared a life together apart when one is in her last moments of life is more than wrong... it is heartless, cruel, shameful and I hope God adds that to the list of sins of those who kept these two people apart. This is so sad. My heart aches for this family and I am devastated that our seemingly progressive societies in larger urban areas are still inflicting pain on gay and lesbians. When will this stop? We all have to vote! Call or write your congressman/woman! Speak out against those who try to count us GLBTQ as second class citizens. This makes me want to get married e...

Today while I was out with some friends at a Pride celebration, I had a flash of anger and fear toward someone who rode his bike through our family friendly and gay friendly festival. He rode through slowly, yelling at the top of his lungs saying things like "all 'a yaw nee da pray fa mercy own ya soes". In his less than eloquent manner of speaking, he saw fit to instruct us (the entire park full of people around him) that we were "headed fa hell if yaw keep dis up". Sometimes, I get mad at myself for the way I react to such things. I get mad at people's stupidity, ignorance, insensitivity, and overall inappropriate words and actions~ especially toward people that are complete strangers to them. I get mad at myself for the sinking fear that punctures my gut; I get angry at the person for attempting to ruin a perfectly good day with friends; I get angry at myself for not speaking up or confronting the person; I get mad at the world. I get mad at society for h...

I had decided not to get too political on this blog, but by neglecting to talk about issues that are very important to me I am neglecting to address what is really on my mind right now. (DISCLAIMER: Please note that my discussion of issues on this blog are my OWN opinions, beliefs, ideas, declarations and responsibility! Do NOT assume that others who know me are automatically in agreement.) So, I just wanted to say: H A P P Y P R I D E ! In honor of Pride during the entire month of June, I am posting my very own artwork. "L' amour des femmes" (upity? no... poking fun at myself) This in-your-face "pop-art" style painting was one of my favorites to paint, though it was controversial in my painting class (and I'm pretty sure did it's part to cost me an A in that class - along with a few other pieces.) Hope you enjoy! Have a great Pride and everyone be safe!

J u n e 2 1 , 2008 I saw Melissa Etheridge in concert! How awesome is that? Not only did I get to be at the concert, but I was able to sneak down to the front and get 10 feet away from her when I went down for a song to take some pictures of her up close. We had really great seats and had a blast. She played a lot of the old great favorites and a great sampling of the songs off of her newer albums. I LOVED it. It was an awesome concert and I was so excited to see her LIVE! All I can say right now is "WOW!" She is incredible. Pics coming soon... I promise. (PICS ABOVE... as promised!) Talented Passionate Sincere Real Inspiring Creative Emotive Amazing!! I will write more later. I'm exhausted from an amazing weekend, and fear I may actually have to do some work today. :)

Progress is being made. Can you feel it? Slowly, but surely this world is changing. One person, one state, or one country at a time... I see how possible it is for this world to know peace. Today, I am especially ecstatic about the goings on in the state of California. Though I live in Kentucky, and this new allowance does not directly effect me, it does greatly affect me. I am speaking of the occurrences regarding the official first day of legalized same-sex marriages that took place yesterday (Tues. June 17,2008) in California. For thousands of couples in that state, it was a time to finally have that moment they had dreamed of for years. It sounds very simple a thing to have- marriage. However, for many people in many places it is still but a distant dream. Picture it: Gathering your family and friends together in one place at a special time Announce your love to the world and solidify your commitment to your partner Become husbands or wives in the eyes of God, the government, and ...