Loss/Black History Month Starts Today (unofficially)

There are no words to really describe the loss I feel about what I'm about to share here. I know that these things may seem trivial & really they are, but I'm still bummed. Waaahh!

Portland Steak & Chophouse is changing its menu & will no longer have it's wonderful happy hour. Good lord the burgers are yummy & an awesome Caesar salad for $2 is a small piece of heaven. My beloved & I were there Monday nigh when our waitress broke the sad news. She said starting February 1st there will be only half-price appetizers. I know I'm not the biggest fan of change but still, things just won't be the same!

Golden Jade on SE Belmont is gone! I didn't even know until I passed by it this morning on my way to a bus stop. It was a great little place with the most friendly orders & very good and salty egg foo young. Now what are my partner & I going to do for takeout nearby? No more egg flower soup when were sick. No more Mongolian beef. Good god!

Bearitos makes this delicious and cheap canned bean dip that I love to eat with my yuppie corn chips. Well now Whole Foods no longer stocks it. I found this out on my lunch break today! I wondered around the store forlorn wondering what the hell to eat. I finally settled on an organic banana, yuppie corn chips & a bean, rice & cheese WF frozen burrito. The shame!

After all this I also hear that one one presidential candidate I was actually excited for dropped out. That's right. The white man I liked best. I think it's because his campaign was oh-I-don't-know .....honest. He was for the working U.S. American. Fawk!

Okay on a way different note!

So since Black folk get the short end on the calender stick when it comes to having a month to celebrate a people I like to declare a few days before February 1st the beginning of Black History Month. So hazzah and welcome to Black History Month!
This year I'm going to make a special focus on African Americans who have made music that inspires & also queer African Americans. Sometimes someone will be both & that's awesome. The first person I plan to feature will be your favorite & mine Sylvester the disco giant and drag diva.

Once again Welcome to Black History Month!
Peace!
~F

Friday Links on Tuesday. Because I Can

But first a pic of the cutest puppy ever! For more information click here!

Well folks I've been excited to share these links with y'all so here goes.

• Have a story to tell? DIY Stories happens once a month in various places around Portland. You don't have to be a professional storyteller. In fact sometimes the best stories come from folks who are nervous to share a story in front of a group for the first time. This next DIY Stories happens February 13th at the Urban Grind coffee shop (2214 NE Oregon). It takes place at 8pm.


• Do you have goals? Of course we all do but what a website that can actually help you along with them? 43 Things has become a site I constantly visit. Unlike the sites myspace & even face book, 43 Things has all the e-communal feeling without the need to impress or play any games. Folks share a diverse range of goals from knitting a scarf to not burning themselves or thinking about suicide. And the really fun thing is you can not only share & set goals but cheer other peoples goals. It's a love fest with no pomp. Here's my goals so far on 43 Things.


• So whats the deal with our U.S. economy? Are we heading for or already in a recession? Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickle & Dimed has written a great article called Recession - Who Cares? Here's an excerpt.

"I suspect that America’s fabulous growth in productivity is another illustration of the disconnect between economic measures and human experience. It’s been attributed to better education and technological advances, which would be nice to believe in. But a revealing 2001 study by McKinsey also credited America’s productivity growth to “managerial innovations” and cited Wal-Mart as a model performer, meaning that we are also looking at fiendish schemes to extract more work for less pay. Yes, you can generate more output per apparent hour of work by falsifying time records, speeding up assembly lines, doubling workloads, and cutting back on breaks. Productivity may look good from the top, but at the middle and the bottom it can feel a lot like pain."

Yes Babs it does feel like pain!

• Last link is about tomorrow. The rally to Defend Equality takes place at the Terry Shruck Plaza. Go to SW 3rd and Madison in downtown Portland at 5:30pm. My partner & I will be among many who are standing up to prejudice within the system. Please come Join us! More info at BRO (Basic Rights Oregon).

I'll try to get some pics up from the rally Thursday. Peace!

Still Sick/Yummy Chili/Example of Internet Activism

I'm still sick with that effing sinus thing (aka "the crud") and too boot I think I may have candida. I see my naturopath tomorrow & hope she can help heal me before I present my workshop on Saturday. Last thing I need is for a group of my sisters & brothers hearing me hack, snort & wheeze my way through the session. So here's my chili recipe, which my beloved said was the best chili she ever had and even though she has to say nice stuff about my cookin', I know when she's really impressed by a dish.

Fran's Garden Steak Chili
1 1/2 lbs of organic steak chopped (I like hangar steak especially because there's little fat after cooking and it has a rich flavor & texture)
3 1/2 cups water
1 28oz. can of diced or stewed tomatoes
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 can black beans (rinsed)
1 can kidney beans (rinsed)
1 cup frozen or canned corn
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 large carrot
4-6 cloves garlic chopped
1 medium onion chopped
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 very small lemon
1/4 cup molasses
sea salt to taste
2 tbsp. olive oil

In a dutch oven on medium high heat coat bottom with olive oil & brown the steak and add garlic & onions. Saute a few minutes then add water, tomato paste & diced tomatoes. Allow to the mixture to get to boiling then turn heat to medium low and add the rest of the ingredients and squeeze the juice from the lemon into the pot. Cook for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Then turn heat to low & simmer another 2 hours. Serve with freshly baked cornbread and sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese on top of chili.

Now in news outside of my own little world...
One great example of Internet activism happened last week when CNN posted a story about Black women voters and their "dilemma" with having to choose between a female presidential candidate and a Black male one. Now I'm not sure how many comments that initial story got but there was so much reaction, so many folks commented, that CNN had to post another story later that day about the reactions to their story. Wow! My favorite gossip blog Jezebel reported on the story and noted one commenter that CNN also noticed named Tiffany who said:

"Duh, I'm a black woman and here I am at the voting booth. Duh, since I'm illiterate I'll pull down the lever for someone. Hm... Well, he black so I may vote for him... oh wait she a woman I may vote for her... What Ise gon' do? Oh lordy!"

A few of the commenter's on the Jezebel blog thought Tiffany was a rawk star saying things like:

"Buy that woman a drink", "Tiffany seems like an awesome lady", "Dear Tiffany, you have my vote" and "Tiffany, I can be biffle with yuo." (huh!) Anyway it seems like Tiffany by daring to speak up and use humor at the same time made a lot of people's day that day, especially mine.

This Internet interaction illustrates the power of people of color speaking out. To the point CNN had to take notice and reflect on it's narrow focus. Congrats to Tiffany, all the responders and CNN for taking the time to change the world just a little bit.

It's moments like that that give me hope to keep going, keep being an activist and love life. Reminds me of something Martin Luther King Jr. once said:
"Almost always the creative dedicated minority has made the world better."-Martin Luther King Jr.

Peace y'all!
~F

On the Mend

Since late Tuesday afternoon I've been sick as hell. Some kind of evil sinus cold thingy invaded my head & wouldn't let go. Though I'm 75% better I'm still trying to take things slowly & not push myself. In that vein I'm not going to worry about doing a fabulous post to make up for not posting since Tuesday. Instead here's a play-by-play my sick time was spent.

• Tuesday at 3pm. Get off work. Feeling sleepy. Hang with my girl, head to SE and eat Pho at Pho Van.
• 5pm. Fall asleep on the couch with the dogs and cat.
• Wednesday at 5pm. Finally get up after sleeping off & on for 24 hours. Take vitamins and sinus medicine, eat & watch coverage of Heath Ledger's death.
• 9pm. Go back to bed.
• Thursday at 1pm. Eat. Take meds. Watch Porky's 2 and Amityville 2. God help me!
• 5pm. Take a nap.
• 7pm. Get up to watch more coverage on Heath Ledger. Watch an episode of from the first season of Miami Vice while waiting for NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice. So good!
• 10pm. Read David Sedaris to my sweetie which promptly puts both of us to sleep.
• Wake up at 8:16am on Friday praying I can get though the work day.

Good times. Anyway I hope you all stay warm & healthy this week & I'll be back later with links!

Peace!

Goodbye Mr. Ledger

Keith Ledger, star of the powerful film Brokeback Mountain has died at the age of 28. He leaves behind a daughter named Matilda and what would have been a thriving movie career. Pills were found near his body.

RIP Mr. Ledger

Full Moon/Mercury in Retrograde is Coming

It must be a full moon because I normally don't post 3 times in a day. But what can I say? Anyway the planet Mercury will soon go retrograde. Basically from January 25th to February 23rd we may feel the effects of Mercury retrograde in Aquarius. What does it all mean? Here's a great blog with a post that's a good for learning more.

Also note that Aquarius is an air sign and is an energy that is kinda like the absent minded professor, so be careful when driving, walking while chewing gum and any gatherings where you might say... a little too much that doesn't quite make sense. Computers are very much at risk especially in this round of Mercury retrogrades for 2008 so back up everything, write shit down and don't start that new website until the end of February.

Since it was a full moon today here is a pic that I took of my sweetie & I last night that I doctored up with some sepia tone. Doesn't she look like she's turning into a werewolf? Click on the picture & you'll see something kewl!
All right that's enough out of moi. Enjoy it all y'all!
~F

Missed the Rally but at least I Ate a Good Happy Hour Meal

Well crap. Due to unforeseen circumstances I missed the rally & march for Martin Luther King Jr. day. I was pretty annoyed so my beloved took me out for a late lunch at the Portland Chophouse. They have a really great happy hour menu and we shared some tasty treats. Their Caesar salad is da bomb and they make a nicely grilled burger. So the day was not a total loss. I just didn't get to honor King the way I envisioned. Since there are no pics of the rally instead here are a couple pics of our experience at the restaurant. Peace!

May we all have a peaceful rest of the day & honor King's legacy in whatever way we can! By the way is anyone else feeling that full moon? I am!

A Dream of a Dream. MLK Jr. Day

There are always mixed emotions for me on the day the United States celebrates Dr. King's day. There are feelins I can't even always define but here is a little of what I feel today:

• Grateful
  
• Hopeful


• Sad


• Lonely


• Proud


• Very much alive

In a half hour I'll be at a rally and march at the Sisters of the Road Cafe. Look for another post later today with pics from the event. In the meantime, enjoy the most famous speech a human has ever gave. I still get teary every time I hear it.

Busy Fighting the Power

Holy crap my life just seems to get more & more full each day. And just when I had a moment of giving up, hope comes, as it always does. But as we know with hope comes action and boy do I have a lot of action going on.

Last week I did an interview with a QWOC in Portland who is amazing. In the process of working on it I've been contacted by the Oregon Students of Color Coalition (OSCC) to do a workshop on how to counter oppression for their yearly conference. I'm thrilled and honored to be asked. Now there hard part is doing the work behind something I've never done before. I've been a part of holding workshops but have never done one on my own. But as I've learned on my own is never really that. Because I'm surrounded by amazing people who have done workshops & are willing to guide me in this process. Yay!

So for a bit the interview is on hold for a while but know QWOC readers that starting soon there will be regular interviews with amazing queer women of color, so we all can connect that much more.

On a side note I also this week finished knitting two scarves, started a new one and implemented a new feeding schedule for my cat. Woo hoo!

Oh and of fighting the power I think one of the most useful tools in doing such is humor. With that enjoy a classic Eddie Murphy skit on SNL. Peace!

Oh Joy! It's Linkin' Friday

This week my sweetheart & I went with much anticipation to Dove Vivi a new pizza place on NE Glisan. And let me tell y'all this place did not disappoint. We had two different halves of pies. One was the Corn that had corn (obviously!), marinated & roasted onions, smoked mozzarella & chives. The other half was the Sausage that had... oh you know sausage (that was house made). It also had marinated green peppers, onions, mozzarella & tomato sauce. God lawd the pizza was awesome. A definite 10. And in my humble opinion the cornmeal crust was the best I've ever had. So go there because if you don't you'll really miss out!

Two events are coming up that I'd like to share. One is this Monday at the Sisters of the Road at 2pm. It's their annual rally & march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and in celebration of non-violence. Gather at 133 NW 6th Ave. Coffee will available. For more click here.

On January 30th at Terry Shrunk Plaza on SW 3rd and Madison there will be a rally to defend equality. It's sponsored by Basic Rights Oregon and I urge everyone who cares about equal rights for all citizens to come and stand up. For more on the event go here. To sign the online pledge that you will attend click on this link.

Last is an article that we could file under the duh factor, but it's good to read if you have any trouble understanding why POC don't always like medical trials, or trust the medical industry. I know for me the day I was rolled into surgery & one of the surgeons was talking about his pet pig, I felt scared to death about what they might do to me while I was under the laser knife. Anywho check it out.

Peace!
~F

I'm a Woman and of Color. Maybe I'll Just Vote for a White Dude

*sigh*
*sigh* *sigh*
I'm already growing sick of presidential politics.

The presidential election seems to already be getting ugly and my guess is it will only get worse. Take for example a recent op-ed Gloria Steinem wrote for the New York Times. She starts out the piece trying to give us an image of a bi-racial lawyer & woman being qualified for Senate & then possibly the presidency. She goes on the ask:

Be honest: Do you think this is the biography of someone who could be elected to the United States Senate? After less than one term there, do you believe she could be a viable candidate to head the most powerful nation on earth?

Ms. Steinem goes on to write that the key reason others would not find this WOC qualified is because of her gender and most U.S. citizens attitudes toward gender. Don't believe the hype folks. The reason some would not find the woman qualified for much (other then polishing their floors), is because this person in Ms. Steinem's example is a woman and of color. Not because she's one or the other. My point in acknowledging this is that it feels Ms. Steinem is trying to pit race against gender in the "which minority has it worse" competition. And guess what Gloria? There are no winners. And let's be really real here. When someone is a double, triple and so on minority, they get the short end of whatever stick, based on the combination of their minority statuses. One minority status is not exclusive to the other within a person with more than one minority status. Therefore Ms. Steinem's example was not only erroneous but wrought with the perspective of privilege.

Perhaps the title of Gloria's article should have told me from the get go that her piece was going to highlight the plight of the white woman only when it said "Women Are Never Front-Runners ." Because the "women" she was talking about were obviously white women. If the piece was really about all women she would have noted that though Black men won the right to vote half a century before women, Black women had watch their men get to vote and see their white sisters back then have the free time to go & fight for voting rights while many Black women had to go to work and take care of their families. I'm not saying all white women then had it easy or didn't have to work, but as most of us know white feminism has it's roots in the middle class, rather than the working poor.

In a lovely post on Reappropiate Jennifer Fang says what I think a lot of WOC felt after reading Steinem's piece.

"...Steinem’s piece (intentionally or unintentionally) draws a line in the sand between people of colour and women, essentially disregarding the everyday racism faced by Black and Brown people, and claiming the Oppression Olympics gold medal for women. Further, by casting the debate as between Black men and White women (despite her imperfect creation of Achola Obama), Steinem renders the woman of colour invisible, reaffirms the binary Black-White paradigm of race, and demands we take a side in the epic battle between race and gender. Is it no wonder, then, that women of colour have long felt alienated by feminists like Steinem? Where do we fit when we’re being asked to choose between Obama and Clinton as a metaphor for race versus gender? And how are we supposed to react when an incorrect choice labels us as “less radical”?

And I don't think I'm alone in starting to feel like if I vote for Mrs. Clinton I'm against Obama, POC and therefore against my own color. Or if I vote for Mr. Obama I'm against Clinton, women in general and therefore sexist.

Another example for my annoyance are the regular emails I've been getting from family & friends telling me how racist Hilary Clinton is. Here is the particular quote that has upset many.

"Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act," Clinton said. "It took a president to get it done."

Okay so she doesn't acknowledge Rosa Parks, or Jesse Jackson or other influential activists but she did mention MLK Jr. first. And for the love of you-know-who folks, it did take President Johnson to sign off on civil rights legislation getting passed. It took the work of the activists without a single doubt. But it ultimately took one dude, the president at the time to sign off on our rights. Sadly we have a system that makes things that way. And please don't tell me what the president does & doesn't sign isn't very significant. I know all too well how policies can hurt or help citizens freedoms, for example, say, Don't Ask, Don't Tell anyone? How about DOMA? That was a president who made that happen in the end, wasn't it? Many homophobes influenced Bill Clinton, but ultimately he made a decision about the value of queer people and acted in ink, by signing our rights away. It indeed took a president to do that.

There are many who ask "is America ready for a white female or Black male president?" And I think that is the wrong question. Because for many of us this country has been long overdue for someone other than a white man to lead from the "white" house. The question here really needs to be "are we ready for a president who can't be bought, won't stand to be lied to, won't lie to citizens and will truly be guided by the tenants that make up our constitution?"

Just because we have a woman or man of color in office doesn't mean these folks will think any more progressively than a white man. It is utterly prejudiced to believe that the body someone inhabits is the main factor in guiding their thoughts. For some folks their race, gender, sexuality or physical ability makes them more understanding of their own oppression and the oppression other minorities face. By by no means is that the rule. So let's not just vote for Obama or Clinton because of the body their in. Let's vote for a candidate based on their ability and heart.

Peace!
~F

The Sturdy Station at the Bagdad Theater

Okay so this we can file in the random photo category. But I just couldn't help taking a picture of this. I know it's silly & immature but crap this was funny! So next time you go to the Bagdad Pub and need to go potty, go into the bathroom on the right hand side to enjoy this little piece of just what keeps Portland weird.

I'm working on a rant/essay so stay tuned y'all!
Peace!
~F

It's Friday Y'all. Time for Some Yummy Links!

By the powers invested in me I've decided Fridays are going to generally be link lovin' days from here on. That doesn't mean I won't ever bore y'all to death with stories about how in love I am or political rants and such, but I like great links & now there's a bit more structure for them. Anywho we'll see how long this trend lasts. :-)

So first things first. My pal Roy sent me a link to the Minnesota Public Radio website that has a Select-a-Candidate quiz. If you're trying to figure out what's what in terms of presidential candidates you wish would not eff up the country more, try this quiz. Essss gooooot! My results matched with Hilary Clinton the most & John Edwards coming second. Which is funny because right now I like them both the most. But I have for very sure not decided yet!

Next is an interview with Chisa Hutchinson who is a Playwright and beautiful QWOC. She wrote a play about attitudes towards homosexuality in the "urban" community called She Like Girls. Hutchinson was the only Black drama major at Vassar, raised in New Jersey and was given away by her mother at age four. Needless to say she's had a very interesting life with some amazing experiences! Check out more at the blog SistersTalk.

Moving right along... locally at the Q Center tonight is a film screening and reception for the film Ballot Measure 9. The film has won many accolades and details the the 1992 struggle in oregon for equality. For more on the film go to http://www.ballotmeasure9.com/. The event tonight starts at 7pm. Tomorrow night the Q Center also hosts an event called 30+ years in the making: Stories from the struggle for our rights. It begins at 7:30pm and the organizers say "Join us for a roundtable discussion, Q&A and in-person discussion featuring over twenty amazing leaders and activists through the years from Portland's LGBTQ community." Guests include Barbara Roberts, Terry Bean, Sam Adams and many more. Be a part of this night aand honor the activists who have fought for freedom. For more info visit this link.

And for those of you who are PDX homo's check out this little quiz to see how well you know Oregon LGBTQ2S history.

How well do you know your Portland LGBTQ history?

Who was the first Oregon legislator to introduce a gay rights bill?

	Gretchen Kafoury
	Gail Shibley
	Vera Katz
	Ruth McFarland

Question 1 out of 10

Quiz by Quibblo

Have yerselves a very merry weekend!
~F

I'm Getting My Groove On!

I met with my sponsor yesterday and I'm officially now working on the 6th & 7th steps. For those who are reading this say "WTH is she talking about?" Let me tell y'all first off I'm in recovery in two 12-Step programs and one deals with my past drinking while the other deals with being affected by other people's drinking. Since the programs are anonymous I'll leave the rest to your imaginations. So anyway the steps 6 & 7 are: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character and Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. It was suggested by my sponsor (which is like a spiritual coach if you will) that I read a book on that topic called Drop the Rock. So I can apply the Snoop Dogg principle here and "drop it like it's hot." Tee hee.

Along with my step work my sponsor who I'll call T asked me what I'd like to focus on for self improvement this month. After some thought I realized I've been missing dancing. For me dancing is key to my spiritual, physical & mental health. And due to a very busy holiday season & weird schedules I have not had a chance to shake it in a while. So tomorrow night I'm going to the Egyptian Lover show at the Tonic Lounge on Sandy. He's an amazing old skool DJ and his spinning always sets my butt a-shakin'. And since my sponsors intuition saw dancing with a group at a community center I did a search and found a class at a place called Dance Momentum in SE Portland that I think will be fun. Let's hope my ankle will hold up through all this movement. By the way if you don't know who Egyptian Lover is check out this video of "Keep it Hot."

More on Friday!
Peace!
~F

Just When I Thought I'd Need to Increase my Paxil

Despite feeling a wee bit better in the last few days my seemingly new case of regular migraines has not waned. Apparently I'm stressed out. And after a few moments this morning of pretty much hating all of humankind I found something funny. And though this joke is as cliche as cliche can get it still made me laugh out loud & give me the strength to find more things to keep me from needing to up my dosage of antidepressants.

So starting with the joke that made me laugh here are some things that made me smile today.

On Marriage

These adorable images from Cute Overload

This from Photobucket:These quotes: And this awesome video with a great message from your favorite band & mine Judas Priest!


Peace!
~F

I think I'm Gonna make a Tee Shirt Out of This

I'd make so much money!
Peace!
~F

Can't Think of a Good Title Today!

After finding out about domestic partnerships in Oregon being on hold I've been in a deep funk. Depression & heartbreak have been the status quo for the last week & try as I might, I have not been able to shake it off. When this level of devastation seeps into my heart it's hard for me to be social in any way. Being around people is akin to mild torture and I just can't connect to others by the way of emailing, talking on the phone or blogging. Even work has been hard to get through and I tend to feel good putting my nose to the proverbial grindstone. But since this little ol' blog was recently featured (go here if the previous link doesn't work then go to page 22) in Just Out, a local queer rag in Portland, I figured I need to make contact with y'all and keep going so those who are meant to read & feel this do. So here we go.

The candlelight vigil at the Q Center this week turned out to be wonderful. I was afraid it would be a somber and completely uninspired event & I'm happy to report I was quite wrong. It was very inspiring to not only be in a room with fellow queers who felt the pain this delay has caused, but there was a sense of unity not always felt in a group scene like this. Too boot the message of the night was that it's time to fight, to take a stand & to work for equality. Folks were fired up & there was focus passion that gave me a glimmer of hope that night. At one point my beloved & I got in front of the group & spoke up about how we feel about this delay and I felt so proud to be her lady & know that we are more that a great match but truly kindred spirits and together we'll fight for justice and the freedom to love.

Later that night we went to Wild Abandon and had an incredible salmon dinner then went home to watch PBS's LGBT television show In The Life. It was a great episode because all the stories got us talking. Kate Clinton (click on the link to see a pic of her & I together) interviewed Margaret Cho and they we're discussing all the scandals of 2007 involving right wing republicans and Christians who were caught being "gay." Mrs. Cho said the funniest statement & I think we can all agree when she said "... 2007 was the year of the sorry old queen." And my sweetie added "with no piano bar to go to." So true. Also on In The Life was a story about queer folks in the hip hop music industry. Since most of the folks who know me understand I love hip hop my ears were immediately perked when the story was introduced. Of the artists featured the rap group KIN took my breath away. These women were not only queer women of color but could spit and were fawking hotties too! If they ever come to Portland or even Seattle I'm going to be first in line to see them.

Okay that's it for now. I'll have some upcoming interviews soon so stay tuned. In the meantime...
Peace!
~F

Mezza Platter, Lesbian Porn and a Dude Saying the Word "Shart" on Network TV

This New Years was pretty calm. I got my period early yesterday morning and since my endometriosis has been getting worse, the first couple days of bleeding are best spent sleeping. But I had to work & at least stay up until midnight.

During the day I got to see my most significant ex and his son and he got to meet my partner and it was really good to see him. Currently my ex lives in Spain so we rarely get to see each other in person so it was great to have him see my beloved in person and all of us talk about important political issues. It was nice!

After work my sweetheart and I went to dinner at a Lebanese restaurant, which we went to last year on NYE and shared a veggie mezza platter, veggie stuffed grape leaves and a cheese pizza. So fawking good! It was so romantic to be sitting in the very same place we sat last year, not quite sure then what was happening between us then but excited to be together. That night was the first time we verbally acknowledged our mutual attraction. Ahhh memories!

Prior to dinner on our lunch break (we work at the same place) we went to the friendly neighborhood adult toy store Spartacus on a whim. We didn't see many items we needed or wanted but we wound up floating over to the video section & I wondered if they possibly had on the off change a movie I've been wanting to see called How to Fuck in High Heels. You see it has been difficult to find quality porn made by & for actual lesbians. And when I say quality I mean hot but not gross or overdone with good camera angles, attractive women and great lighting & not too much damn plot.

Well Spartacus had the film. They also had the movie Crash Pad by Shine Louise Houston. Another film I've wanted to see & had been especially excited about it because Shine is a QWOC. So I had no choice but to open a video membership with Spartacus & was able to, with glee, bring home some porn.

How to Fuck in High Heels was in a way a disappointment. It doubled with a film called Hard Love and there wasn't much too that one. In fact what was hard to watch was the lesbian drama and having to listen to the bad acoustic lesbian music that accompanied the sex scenes. My partner & I would up fast forwarding through most of it. How to- however had some decent moments but they were more on the level of comedy due to the very dry star of the film Shar. She had us cracking up with her inexpressive commands at her sex partners and even her expressions of excitement was monotone at best. I personally felt like Shar could possibly be the funniest woman on earth & instantly fell in love with her porn persona.

Crash Pad on the other hand was the film many of us have been waiting for. It had everything I like in a porn with some surprises and a couple moments that left my mouth open with shock & my loins throbbing with titillation. I don't want to give away some of the great stuff but lets just say how very talented the actresses were. And there was a strong sense that these women really enjoyed each other and what they were doing. There was some rawness that damn near took my breath away but at the same time, style and artistic merit. It was great to see women actually cum for once in a porno and even better to see close-up just what got them there. I can't wait to see Shine's follow up Superfreak about the ghost of Rick James invading a party full of femme dykes. Woo hoo! Find out more on the Crash Pad series here.

The last little shock of the night was while watching the New Years special on NBC with Carson Daly (btw is it me or does he remind you a bit of Dick Clark?) when the Star of the television show Chuck, Zachary Levi said to Carson daly that he nearly shart when he saw New York Yankee player Alex Rodriguez in the crowd at Times Square. I turned to my partner and said with surprise "did he just say shart on network TV?" She shook her head yes & we both laughed. All in all it was a pretty good new years eve.

Have a groovy 2008 y'all!
Peace!
~F
P.S. Don't forget if you live in Portland, OR about the vigil tomorrow night at the Q Center. Tomorrow was the day many of us planned to gain spousal rights in Oregon and now that right is on hold due to prejudice & a funky legal system. The event is open to all members of the community and I welcome all allies to come too.
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Q Center
69 SE Taylor Ave at SE Water Ave, Portland
FREE http://www.pdxqcenter.org/