(January 2004) Back from the Holidays!

Sorry for being so late in updating the web site. I just got back from my vacation and I was too exhausted to do anything! I need to get back to work and get some rest!

Well, no earth shattering announcements for now, just "I'm back!"

(February 2004) Now is the winter of our discontent.

Well, you probably don't need to be an expert on Shakespeare to figure out that I am not the happiest camper around. This has been a truly miserable winter. Things have been dull and boring and bleak, and that's not even counting the weather! I took on the task of club president and webmaster out of a sense of gratitude for all the joy and happiness the club had given to me in getting me together with my husband, John. After two years of beating my head against a wall of apathy, I'm feeling that I may be trying to roll a boulder up an impossible mountain.

The root issue is simply a matter of participation. People join this club, and then sit on their backsides and do nothing. They don't come out to dinners, or brunches, or outings, or house parties (when we are so very fortunate to have one). Even with an incentive program that would let people profit from throwing a party, there are no takers. I know there are people who can and do contribute their efforts! I know there are also those sitting on the fence, wondering if the time is right to open up and try something new. Well, time is right! Stop fence sitting before the sharp pointy bits scratch you in the tushy!

All this bitching and complaining is not just a rant. We can do something to turn things around! On March 27 at 4PM we will be having a general meeting at the William Way Center. The purpose of this meeting is to plan the events, outings, and parties for the coming months. All who are interested are welcome to attend by calling (610) 344-0853. To cover the cost of food and refreshments, there will be a charge of $5 for non-club members.

(March 2004) Some thoughts.

I would like to start off by appologizing for the delay in updating the web site. Things have been very busy, and only now have I finally got around to it! At the risk of having this web site seem like a blog, there are a few things that have been on my mind lately:

This country is messed up; Part 1: Recently, an 11 year old girl was abducted, raped and murdered by a man, married, with children of his own. What makes this case noteworthy is that the abduction was caught by a security camera. This horrible footage shows the poor, hapless child being grabbed and dragged away to her doom. The footage, while instrumental in bringing this criminal to justice, borders on snuff-porn. It was widely shown on news casts. No problem. Meanwhile at the Super Bowl, a little bit of a women's breasts were seen for a short while. The sky is falling! The FCC is investigating! Fines are being increased ten-fold! Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong?

This country is messed up; Part 2: Desperate governments have often used war as a distraction for the people from the incompetence of their governance. Castro has used the virtual state of war between Cuba and the US to prop up his corrupt regime, the military dictator of Argentina tried to use an "easy" war to sieze the Falkland Islands to distract people from the economy. These however pale in comparison to "W". When he needed to distract people from his failure to prevent the 9/11 terrorism, he invaded Afganistan. When he needed to distract people from his failure to capture Osama bin Laden, he concocted a war on Iraq. And now that he is shown to have been incorrect about his allegations of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and slipping in the polls, he declares war on the gay and lesbian people of America, marking them for discrimination to be embedded in the constitution of the land. "W" hopes to use the general hatred level for the GLBT community to distract people from the real issues. I am tired of being used as a scape goat. I am fed up of intolerance and hatred being disguised and called "family values", and I am sick and tired of being forced to sit in the back of the bus!

Lest anyone think that this diatribe is meant to demean the United States, it is most certainly not. It is just a reminder that the price of liberty is, and will always be, eternal vigilance lest it be stolen away while we sleep.

Oh and just a reminder! On March 27 at 4PM we will be having a general meeting at the William Way Center. The purpose of this meeting is to plan the events, outings, and parties for the coming months. All who are interested are welcome to attend by calling (610) 344-0853. To cover the cost of food and refreshments, there will be a charge of $5 for non-club members.

(April 2004) Some progress.

I would like to start off by again appologizing for the delay in updating the web site. Things remain very busy and only now have I finally got around to it! The following is from the newsletter and pretty much sums things up:

OK, I admit it; I’m feeling a lot better now. The turn out for the general meeting was light, but what it lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality!

For the first time that I can remember, we have events planned out for the next six months. After struggling month to month for so long, this is a huge relief. I admit that not all the events are fully fleshed out yet, but we at least know what needs to happen, and who is responsible for moving things along.

We should have a calendar packed with fun events. Now we need only one more thing for everyone to have a great time: YOU!

(May 2004) Some fun! Some Fight!

As usual, I would like to start off by appologizing for the delay in updating the web site. Things remain very busy and only now have I finally got around to it! We have been having a fabulous time! Our spring house party was a huge success with lots of friends, food, and fun! We are looking forward to another party in May!

Along the way we were able to attend the Equality Forum rally in center city, and especially enjoyed the Project 1138 rally for gay marraige. The 1138 refers to the number of perks you get when the "man" approves of your choice of spouse! Now is not the time to lay down and be trampled by bigots. Now is the time to get out and fight for out rights, and when the time come, to VOTE!

Remember, things are getting better, keep looking up!

(June 2004) Keep on plugging!

I admit, it seems that the web site has been slow to be updated lately and I am to blame. This month things are really bad with the month over a week done before it was posted. All I can say is sorry, but this wem-mistress thing is more work than I thought it would be. I sometimes wonder if there is anyone reading this stuff, then I get a call or an email from someone and it seems to be worthwhile. Well I'll keep plugging away. Maybe send me an email! I can use the encouragement!

(July 2004) Getting Some... Rest!

I admit, for the last few months the web site has been slow to be updated. So to keep everyone on their toes, this month the update is ahead of schedule! I am glad to say that our general meeting in June did much to restore my flagging spirits and faith in the enthusiasm of the group. I look forward to many fun filled events in the coming months.

It has been observed that I seem to be putting a lot of George W Bush jokes into the newslatter and web site lately, Why so much heat on poor old "W" some people ask?? Well, there are two main reasons at work here. 1) They really are very funny jokes and 2) I won't be able to use them after November so I'd better use them now!

(August 2004) Getting Some... Rest!

Oh well, I'm back to my lazy habbits. As I write this I'm five days late in updating the web site. Sorry! Last weekend I had a fabulous time in New York City! My hubby, a friend and I took the bus up to the big apple, took in some sights, did a little shopping, saw a wonderful Broadway show (Aida! It was fantastic! And not at all like the italian guys thingy of the same name ;-) Then we had supper at the most incredible Brazilian place, Churrascaria! The food, the service... the servers!!!! were are all incredible! If you're ever in town, give it a try!

(September 2004) Getting ready for the Fall!

I'm trying harder! Really! As I wirtie this, I am putting up the September update and it's not even September yet! I am looking forward to fun events with you all! If you have any suggestions or questions see contact us above!

ps: As politics season is upon us, have you registered to vote? If you have not, what's you @#$%#$^ excuse? If you don't like the way things turn out and you did'nt vote, you know who to blame!

(October 2004) Roses and Thorns

The following is a quote from the Roses and Thorns editorial of the Saturday Oct 2, 2004 Daily Local News out here in Chester County, PA:

We present Roses to those members of the U.S. Congress who on Thursday voted against amending the Constitution to ban gay marriages, and Thorns to those members who voted for it.

On a philosophical level, we believe that letting gays marry honors the idea that all men (and women) are created equal and should be so treated. On a more practical level, we don't see how letting gay couples marry harms heterosexual couples.

We don't buy the argument put forth by some that a ban on gay marriages would benefit society and children. We think society and children survive and thrive on love, and see nothing but hate in this failed legislation.

(December 2004) Time for charity

The following is an excerpt from the December 2004 newsletter of the Ft. Lauderdale Prime Timers:

"We badly need holiday spirit now: Our society is severely splintered and we seem bogged down in negativity regarding our elected officials, especially in Washington, whether folks are happy or saddened by the recent election outcome. An attitude of charity toward others would be just what my doctor ordered, but I have to work at it. Perhaps one of these coming months we can have a discussion panel about how to overcome negative attitudes we feel helpless to control, and I don't mean only politics, but everyday ruts which we may feel bog us down. If any of you reading this feel you have answers or would care to participate in such a talk, please feel free to phone or e-mail me."

I agree with this note, but the bad boy in me still likes the new pic in the attic.