What's going on in South Dakota?

I just got wind that a bill has been introduced in the current session of the SD legislature (read it here) which would allow public school teachers to teach creationism if they so choose.  Seriously...what the hell is happening in the state I still consider home?

I don't respect the concept of intelligent design (that's actually putting it mildly) but don't begrudge anyone who chooses to believe it or even teach it -- in a CHURCH.  Knock yourselves out.  But there are so many red flags about this, almost too many to count.  But two are particularly glaring.

1. There must be some sort of brain drain going on in SD - why are there not more smart people running for political office there these days?  Who are these people: Senators Monroe, Jensen, Lederman, Otten (Ernie), Rampelberg, and Van Gerpen and Representatives Greenfield, Craig, Haggar (Don), Haggar (Jenna), Schoenfish, Steele, and Wick?  Is this the best we can do?  When did it become okay to allow religion be legislated into law?  

2. Please don't ever wonder why the U.S. is seriously lagging in terms of math and science.  If this bill becomes law (and I'd love to think it doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell) it will say this: knowing less is a good thing.  I don't even want to think about what this could mean going forward.  The ramifications are staggering.

My high school biology teacher (may his gentle soul rest in peace) would have had much to say about this.  What I wouldn't give to hear his thoughts.  Oh, and that brain drain I mentioned earlier?  Yeah...that.

Wendy Davis for Texas Governor!

Okay, folks...I'm giving this blog some much-needed attention!  Poor thing...abandoned!  I'll keep this one short and sweet (ease back into the blog groove slowly!):

Wendy Davis, currently running for Governor of Texas for the Democratic party, is considered a long-shot.  No big surprise there...Texas has been on a GOP roll as of late.  But please don't think being 'on a roll' in any way equates to 'doing a good job.'  After all, this is the state party who brought us 8 years of Dubya in the White House and what seem like a kajillion years of Rick Perry as Texas head honcho.

But there's something happening in Texas that has me very hopeful and that is the prospect of Texas 'going blue' in the not-too-distant future.  I could point to the increasing Latino demographic and its tendency to vote blue.  But it's more than that...Wendy Davis sparked a fire last year with her abortion rights filibuster right up the highway in Austin.  Texas WOMEN perked their ears.  And you add a female voting bloc to a Latino voting bloc...well...you do the math.

But this past week, a certain Todd Kincannon out of bumf*ck South Carolina, a rabid teabagger, used twitter to spread some of the most vile, misogynistic filth (and I won't dignify it by posting a link here...) directed at Wendy Davis that can only mean one thing me:  The GOP is scared of her.  Because...guess what?  If Texas goes blue (and it likely won't go blue with or without electing Wendy Davis)...then politics at a national level, i.e., the White House...the GOP is truly screwed.  And I, for one, who has watched the GOP turn into a giant clown car, couldn't be happier!

GO, WENDY, GO!

So...this happened...

Children of the Corn

Oh..bee tee dubz...

Carlos and I got married on August 16, 2013!  After big chunks of DOMA were (thankfully) kicked to the curb last June, we wasted little time.  I'll never forget...we were actually on the top of the Eiffel Tower when Carlos proposed.  Yeah...that part didn't happen.  But we did agree to marry each other, asked my sister Kim to help and we drove to Iowa (the closest state which allowed marriage equality at the time).

Right across the border from Sioux Falls, we tip-toed over the line to Larchwood, Iowa and got married in the cutest little city park you'll ever see.  Surrounded by corn fields and close friends and family.

It was awesome.

In Which I Declare My Undying Devotion to Dame Judi Dench

I love this woman.  After a second viewing of "Philomena" tonight in San Antonio, it's even more evident that I should probably be the president of her fan club.  While Cate Blanchett probably has this year's Oscar all but wrapped-up (and deservedly so...her performance in "Blue Jasmine" rocks...hard) it's Dench's quietly affecting performance as Philomena Lee that stole my heart this season.

*SPOILER ALERT*

And I will confess, as Philomena finally gets to watch a video tribute made in her son's honor after succumbing to AIDS, I was a mess. It's this actress's ability to fully inhabit a character that gets me every time.  Daniel Craig's abs notwithstanding, she's the best thing about the latest James Bond movies.

It will never happen in a million years, but can't you just tell that she'd be just so much fun to have drinks with?  The stories this woman could tell.  I'd be, and am, in complete awe.

So....I'm in Texas....

A little update for all of my devoted readers (!)...I'm now in San Marcos, Texas (as of mid-March). San Marcos is the home of Texas State University where Carlos is currently pursuing a PhD in math education.

San Marcos is almost smack-dab between Austin and San Antonio (about 20-30 miles from each) on Interstate 35. The key word to describe San Marcos right now is: HOT.

I am waiting on my Texas RN license to get activated and am working at the Pottery Barn outlet store doing visuals. It's a job - that's all I'm sayin'...!

I think Texas is an acquired taste. I'm not loving it (yet) and wonder if I ever will. I'm not miserable -- life here is immensely better than in Tegucigalpa: safer, cleaner, more opportunities, etc. I've noticed that there are very few transplants in this neck of the woods...most people I've met at Pottery Barn are Texas natives - and seriously, they're all great people: down to earth, friendly, and laid-back.

I've been bad about updating this blog. Will try to be more proactive!

Please....spare me

Did anyone else catch this story on CNN online today? Exodus International, a 'pray the gay away' scam outfit has decided they'll sit out this year's 'Day of Truth,' a counter protest to the annual 'Day of Silence,' a day that brings attention to the threats against LGBT students.

Exodus has decided that the 'Day of Truth' is too divisive and counter-productive. Sounds reasonable enough, until it really sinks in that this is a group that claims to be able to change homosexuality with the power of prayer.

This is a shameless group of charlatans, nothing more. They, along with the National Organization for Marriage, Focus on the Family and other right-wing religious fringe groups are, in my mind, largely responsible for fostering the idea that gay is bad. Kids aren't born bullies -- they learn that behavior from their parents. Parents who buy this bag of bullshit.

Spare me.

Better Late Than Never

Everybody's Fine finally arrived in theaters here (it was released around Christmastime last year -- hence the post title) and you know what? I liked it. I think it made about $5.00 at the box office, maybe a bit more. I think the critics hated it, too, but who cares.

Yeah, it's a little manipulative, but I liked it's quiet, somber tone. A nice antidote for the typical bombast of the summer movie season.

Here's the trailer if you're so inclined: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh7H92iE2V0

The best thing about the movie is Robert DeNiro's understated take on a father who seems hopelessly out of touch with his grown children. I'd hate to be a casting director responsible for hiring actors to play his kids, almost solely based on how hard it would be to find people who actually look like they could be his kids. Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale look absolutely nothing like him, but that's just me. Their acting is fine enough. It's DeNiro's movie, though.

If you've seen it and you know me, you'll probably guess the little touches that brought me to tears. Here's a hint on one of them: a lit candle being placed beside some family pictures.

It's slow-paced, but quietly moving. Definitely worth renting.