So, for the past few months I've been miserable, because I could not find a job in Midland, I had taken the LSAT, and I had NOTHING TO DO. Plus, I was looking for a way to get out to LA in November, which was, as only makes sense because of the job situation, looking less and less likely as the days went by.
Yesterday, all of that changed.
My AWESOME friend Bobby referred me to the No On 1 Campaign, a grassroots campaign to fight for marriage equality in Maine. Some background for those of you who may not be aware: On May 6th, Governor Baldacci signed an act that makes same-sex marriage legal in Maine. However, due to a petition raising signatures against this law, a veto has been placed on the ballot for November 3rd, a veto that would overturn this law and keep it from ever going into effect. More info if you're curious. As of right now, the polls are saying it's about 52% NO (keeping gay marriage legal) 43% YES (outlawing gay marriage) and 5% undecided. It's a pretty close race.
Anyway, No On 1 was looking to hire some full-time paid canvassers. I interviewed over the phone for the job on Wednesday, and I got the job! I'm flying to Maine on Saturday, to get paid to walk around and talk to voters about the issue and urge people to vote for the election. The fact that this is something I would happily volunteer my time for, but I get paid to do it... there are really no words.
As a result of this job, I will suddenly have enough money to go to California. And it just so happens that my friend Christine is heading to San Francisco on November 8th and has invited me to share a hotel room with her while she's there for a big fabulous gay conference. Which allows a whole lot of other dominoes to slot into alignment. It looks like this is what my life is gonna be like now:
October 17th: Three days after landing the job, I fly to Portland to start campaigning.
November 5th: Fly back to Michigan.
November 8th: Fly out to San Francisco and spend several days partying with Christine and one of my old college professors, who I love dearly and who I hope remembers me.
November 11th: Pat Fabulous drives to San Francisco from Santa Cruz on his day off to be gay and amazing with me, specifically having a picturesque movie scene where we drive past the ocean at sunset while blaring Lady Gaga out of the windows of his Ford Explorer. We then drive back to Santa Cruz to Pat's AMAZING CO-OP HOUSE that has a recording studio shaped like a castle in the backyard, an old winibego which someone lives in, Pat's room which is a converted/built into the house old caboose, and a house mother named Bunny. There's also a turtle pond in the backyard with 12 turtles. I'm not kidding. This place is totally real. It's not a fairy tale.
November 13/14th: Pat Fabulous and I drive down to Los Angeles to spend the weekend with Jessica DuVerneay of the Many Corsets. A glittery, drunken weekend ensues.
November 15th: I bid a fond farewell to Pat Fabulous as he drives back to Santa Cruz.
????? I make my triumphant return to Michigan.
The ????? is due to the fact that I MAY get a job in California while I'm there, and I MAY find an apartment, if I am lucky and have enough money left over. All this stuff is ballpark right now. I'm still working out the details. I need to make a budget. But that's what I know so far!
I'M TOTALLY FREAKING OUT WITH GLEE! XDDD
Yesterday, all of that changed.
My AWESOME friend Bobby referred me to the No On 1 Campaign, a grassroots campaign to fight for marriage equality in Maine. Some background for those of you who may not be aware: On May 6th, Governor Baldacci signed an act that makes same-sex marriage legal in Maine. However, due to a petition raising signatures against this law, a veto has been placed on the ballot for November 3rd, a veto that would overturn this law and keep it from ever going into effect. More info if you're curious. As of right now, the polls are saying it's about 52% NO (keeping gay marriage legal) 43% YES (outlawing gay marriage) and 5% undecided. It's a pretty close race.
Anyway, No On 1 was looking to hire some full-time paid canvassers. I interviewed over the phone for the job on Wednesday, and I got the job! I'm flying to Maine on Saturday, to get paid to walk around and talk to voters about the issue and urge people to vote for the election. The fact that this is something I would happily volunteer my time for, but I get paid to do it... there are really no words.
As a result of this job, I will suddenly have enough money to go to California. And it just so happens that my friend Christine is heading to San Francisco on November 8th and has invited me to share a hotel room with her while she's there for a big fabulous gay conference. Which allows a whole lot of other dominoes to slot into alignment. It looks like this is what my life is gonna be like now:
October 17th: Three days after landing the job, I fly to Portland to start campaigning.
November 5th: Fly back to Michigan.
November 8th: Fly out to San Francisco and spend several days partying with Christine and one of my old college professors, who I love dearly and who I hope remembers me.
November 11th: Pat Fabulous drives to San Francisco from Santa Cruz on his day off to be gay and amazing with me, specifically having a picturesque movie scene where we drive past the ocean at sunset while blaring Lady Gaga out of the windows of his Ford Explorer. We then drive back to Santa Cruz to Pat's AMAZING CO-OP HOUSE that has a recording studio shaped like a castle in the backyard, an old winibego which someone lives in, Pat's room which is a converted/built into the house old caboose, and a house mother named Bunny. There's also a turtle pond in the backyard with 12 turtles. I'm not kidding. This place is totally real. It's not a fairy tale.
November 13/14th: Pat Fabulous and I drive down to Los Angeles to spend the weekend with Jessica DuVerneay of the Many Corsets. A glittery, drunken weekend ensues.
November 15th: I bid a fond farewell to Pat Fabulous as he drives back to Santa Cruz.
????? I make my triumphant return to Michigan.
The ????? is due to the fact that I MAY get a job in California while I'm there, and I MAY find an apartment, if I am lucky and have enough money left over. All this stuff is ballpark right now. I'm still working out the details. I need to make a budget. But that's what I know so far!
I'M TOTALLY FREAKING OUT WITH GLEE! XDDD
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baka_sensei- lover of muffins and one-legged puppies
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Having said that, I will miss you while you are away, but you'll be doing awesome things. Just don't forget us small gays while you're out fighting the big gay fight!
I'm very proud of you. And am certain you will have a wonderful time. Talk those Maine gay-haters into loving us, dammit. DO IT.
(Also, do it for the fact that Grandma S is from Maine... wouldn't it be awesome if you helped gayify the very state our homophobic grandmother hails from? She'd be so proud.) :-D
Also, for the job I'm only really going to be talking with people who we know are supporters, or have the profile of being supporters, to encourage them to get out and vote. This late in the game, you aren't going to sway anyone into voting for the gays if they weren't already going to, but you CAN encourage supporters to make sure their voice is heard, because it's such a close and important race. :D
Of course, you're better at handling crazy people than I am, so I think you'll do fine. Just prepare yourself is all I'm sayin'.
I can let you know more details as they become available to me. :)
I'm staying at the HI hostel at 685 Ellis Street- I can figure out how to use public transport and junk and meet you wherever- you know the area better than I/ what would be fun to do and all that.
My number is 989-859-0877- Gimme a call whenever on Sunday and we'll work out a time and place to meet!
Also, my real life name is Maria... hahaha- wasn't sure if you knew that or not! :D
I know you're going to be getting together with some friends of yours, I figured we could all get together and do stuff, everybody here in the bay area has got different favorite places to go and we could all decide together.
I'll call you Sunday. :)
At the very least, if you get super annoyed that it's taking so long, I can always send you the spark-notes version of what's gonna happen! ^_^;;