Move preparations

I'm moving!  That's right...that time has come to move in with my best friend.  Being unemployed, I can't afford to live in my apartment anymore.  So I'm off to Chippewa Falls this week.  It's going to be a difficult move too.  It's hard to justify rental fees for trucks and whatnot when you have no income.

I was originally planning on updating this website design this past week.  Turns out I realized I was running short on time for packing to move.  So I set the website aside to pack everything up.  I sit right now with 3/4 of my apartment ready to move.  The one thing I don't know yet is if I'll rent a trailer or a full on truck.  It's about 30 bucks a day to rent a trailer, and it's about 360 bucks to rent a truck one way.  Unfortunately I don't think I could do the trailer thing and get everything up there in one shot.  I'll probably need a few trips.  I'll figure it out.

Scarlet vs the Bluetooth Headset

Scarlet, for those of you that don't know, is my 10 month old red tabby cat.  She's a cutie, but don't let her looks fool you.  She's a brat and a diva.  It would also seem that she loves to bat around bluetooth headsets for cell phones.  I should preface this whole thing with the fact that I've had bad histories with headsets.  I've owned four of them.  Normally I'm great with electronics, but these things are so small that they disappear on me.

Case in point:  I recently lost my favorite LG headset upon switching cars for a car repair.  I'm not sure when it fell out of my purse or car, but it did.  So, I was headset-less.  I decided to replace it.  I went looking and found a Plantronics headset that I thought would be ok.  I tried it for a few days and discovered I hated the things.  It was uncomfortable in my ear, it was quiet, and the reception wasn't all that great.  So I wanted to return it.

I set the headset on my dining room table with the intention of returning it the next day.  I thought to myself that it may not be wise since Scarlet may find it and play with it.  I walked away and forgot about my own concern before I could do anything about it.  I went to bed and in the morning...Surprise...it was gone.  Scarlet had played with it.

So I searched the apartment to no avail.  I looked everywhere...under the couch, in the couch, under the radiators, all surrounding the table, all across the floor, under the bed, in the closets...everywhere...twice.  I couldn't find it.  I was pretty upset.  After several hours of searching, I gave up.

Finally tonight...as my mother, father, and I were packing up, it appeared.  My mom found it in a closet.  It had been batted into the closet and around the corner edge.  So, it was in a shadow and was surrounded by a small collection of toys that had also been lost.  I was shocked.  In fact, at this point, I had started to wonder if I was wrong and that I had lost it myself somehow.  Maybe I hadn't deserved to ever have a headset.  Nope...it was Scarlet afterall.  Crazy kitten...she's curled up next to me right now looking as innocent as ever too.

Car Accident

In other news...I got into a car accident just over a week ago.  I was on my way to Toys R Us to buy a gift for my older sister's baby shower.  I got off the freeway during rush hour and none of the traffic would let the line of cars coming off the freeway merge.  So we all slowed to a halt.  The car in front of me went.  I sat waiting to go watching traffic, inching forward.

Suddenly I hear a crunch and feel my head hit the head rest.  A very loud "F&%king A!!!" involuntarily came out of my mouth.  I looked into my rear view to see a girl about my age in the car behind me.  She looked a bit freaked out.  I pulled forward a bit and put on my flashers.  We got out and she was incredibly apologetic.

I am proud of myself in that the first thing I asked was if she was ok.  She was.  I was too.  Turns out our cars were fine.  It was just a little bumper cars is all.  I had no damage...her license plate was a little bent.  That was it.  She was asking about exchanging information.  The first thought that popped into my head was a similar situation I caused about two years ago.  The car was a lot nicer...a white convertible...and the owners were so nice to me.  Since no one was hurt, and there was no damage, they let me go.  So I thought I'd pass on that karma.  I told her that since we were both fine, and our cars were fine...there's no reason to exchange info.  She was incredibly relieved.  I just said be careful and have a good night.  I hope she does the same to someone else in the future.

Friends

I would be remiss if I didn't mention some new friends in my life.  First and foremost is Leah.  She's a really cool girl from the Southeast and has had a bit of a struggle lately, but I've really enjoyed chatting and getting to know her.  She's really pretty, and she doesn't see it.  She's a geek and loves music.  In fact, she creates it almost nightly.  It's really impressive how strong she is and how well she's dealing with the challenges that she's facing right now.  She's a true role model for anyone.  I hope someday soon she can see that too.

I've also been being a lot more social lately.  I went to a couple unconferences, which I'll talk about later.  I also met a few people thanks to my friend Tracy.  Tracy is an awesome tech nerd, and she seems to know just about everyone.  So she ends up being this node of communication that connects people.  It's pretty awesome.  I've met so many cool people through her recently.  Plus, she's so driven when it comes to bringing people together around causes.  She also has great parties in her basement.

I met her girlfriend, Jackie, who is such a geek.  It's great.  I've been able to talk Harry Potter with her, Star Wars, and various other nerditry.  She makes for a really cool friend, AND she and Tracy are cute together. I hope they stay that way.  Plus they're fun to hang out with together.

I got to meet someone called "the Dane" for the main reason that she's from Denmark.  She was visiting Tracy.  She was fun to hang out with.  We went to the unconference together, and we hung out at the parties afterwards too.  She is a very interesting girl, and while a little quiet, very smart.

As part of the conferences, there were several parties and events.  I finally got out to the lesbian bars in Milwaukee.  I visited the Pint, which is like local meat shack.  As soon as you walk in, everone's heads turn and eye you up as fresh meat.  Still, I liked the ambiance.  They had the Brewer game on both nights I was there.  I had a good time there both times I went.

I also went to Mona's, which is like...THE lesbian bar.  It's a happenin place with loud music, a big dance floor, a large bar, and a lot of places to sit and talk...er...yell.  It was fun to people watch there with Tracy and the Dane.  While there I got to meet little Jess as we called her.  She's shorter than me.  She's a very energetic woman that has a very frantic personality and a wacky sense of humor.  She was a lot of fun to shoot the shit with. I really had a good time at Mona's too.

It's truly unfortunate that I finally feel connected to the community here, and I'm leaving.  I feel like I have friends that go out.  That's exactly what I wanted the entire time I was in Milwaukee.  Why now?  Guess we can't have everything.

Unemployment

Speaking of not having everything, I'm really upset with my former employer.  They are fighting my unemployment claim.  It figures right?  I mean, they screwed me over at work, took advantage of me, totally used me, drained me of all desire and energy, and then fired me for trying to take on extra work to make ends meet.  Now they want to take away a lifeline.  Pardon my language here, but Fuck you, Move inc.  You're truly a bunch of blood sucking, rapists.  You fired me for ethics, but you truly have none to begin with.  You know nothing about how to treat people fairly and respectfully.

Queer Camp

Tracy created the first ever Queer Camp, and I was proud to be a part of it.  There's a concept out there surrounding this "Camp" idea.  People come together around a concept.  Sometimes it's about podcasting, aka podcamp, or around photography, aka photocamp.  Another aspect is that it's really informal.  The schedule is never set in stone.  So it's frequently called an "unconference" because of that.  Queer Camp was the first surrounding LGBT issues.  Tracy started the website www.queercamp.org.  She also planned the whole thing.  She is amazing.

This was my first camp experience.  I presented during the first day and it was a blast.  I did two sessions.  The first was called "Gender in a slightly larger nutshell than expected"...no scrotal puns were intended.  The second was a less structured Q/A session called "Ask a transsexual anything".  Both went great.  I have a video recording of the first one, and I'll perhaps post some of the video when I get settled at the new house.  I also got some great questions in the second session.

There were a lot of great sessions.  Some were on gay christianity, legal issues in relationships, music, paganism, polyamory, and more.  It was very enlightening.  Above all it was great to connect with people and have a good time doing so.  I look forward to the next queer camp.  It seems poised to branch out across the country too.  Watch for it in your area! Or plan one yourself.  Tracy would be happy to set you up with the promo materials.

PhotoCamp Milwaukee

The following weekend was quite a few events.  One of them was Photocamp.  I didn't think I was going to get to go to this, but I made it for the last part.  I had a few things earlier in the day that conflicted.  Otherwise, I'd have been there earlier.

I got to see a neat homemade ring flash...which is a new concept to me.  The result of what you get when you use a ring flash is pretty impressive.  If I had another flash, I'd consider making one.  It's pretty cool.

I also participated in the evening photo walk.  A photo walk is just what it sounds like...people walk and take photos of what they see.  I have a few photos that I want to post, but I don't have access to them at the moment.  I'll post them in the coming few days.

After the photo walk was the closing session.  After that, I had some great food and enjoyed great conversation.  Out of that sparked the idea to pull my sword out of my equipment bag in my car.  Picture after picture was taken of me with the sword.  I'm still hoping to see some of the cool shots.  Unfortunately I've seen none of them, aside from the iPhone photo Tapps took.  I'm hoping I'll get to be a part of  many more camps in the future.  They're a lot of fun.

Bucketworks

Bucketworks is a great place in Milwaukee that both of the camps were held at.  It's a non-profit, very versatile space that can really be used for anything.  The concept isn't unlike an idea I had a couple months back involving a shared studio space that was offered for free to use or for a small fee.  Turns out they had the idea first.

Anyway, if I was staying in Milwaukee, I'd be strongly considering becoming a member.  The people that run the place are fantastic.  Plus, they're nerds.  They have a lounge called "Ten Forward"...the office is called the "Ready Room".  Star Trek references are always a win in my book.  You can check them out at www.bucketworks.org.

Baby Shower

Showers are too much for me.  I may be a girly girl most of the time, but baby showers...wedding showers...no thanks.  There's a level of girly that I won't touch with a 20 foot pole.  I guess the fact that baby clothes and babies were never all that thrilling to me probably has something to do with it.  Plus, the cutesieness of the games and party favors are so hyper feminized that it actually bothers me somewhat.

Maybe it bothers me also because it's just such a heterosexual experience...for now.  Gay couples haven't been able to get married until recently.  Or maybe it's just that I know I'll never have a shower.  I don't date and don't want kids.  I'd sure like the blenders, artwork, and house supplies that are given out as gifts though.

Anyway, as usual, I was on photographer duty.  It's good that I have that, because otherwise I'd be bored.  Though it's nice to catch up with family...still the focus is supposed to be on the showeree...not the showerers.  Plus there were so many people in a small space.  It was hard to hear and hard to focus with all the noise.  I'm glad the shower is over and done.

Visiting Chippewa

I visited the new house about a week ago.  It looks nice.  It's not very big on the outside, but on the inside, it seems a lot bigger.  It has a galley kitchen with a larger dining area.  The three bedrooms are comfortably sized.  I won't have any problems in that space.  The living room is a bit cramped with all the stuff Chris put in there.  I think that'll change over time though.  The basement is nicely finished with plenty of room.  I love the wood burning fireplace.  My office is actually back in the corner.  It's going to be a nice refuge to get work done.  I will call it the "Nerderarium".  :) There will be few to no distractions.  I'm looking forward to it.

One of the things that really stood out in my mind though...the response from friends in the area.  I have a reputation in that part of the state, but it's still surprising to have people shake your hand with two hands and say "It's so good to have you back, Jessica."  It feels good to be wanted.  It makes me feel like no matter what, I'll have success there.  Here's hoping.

Anyway...this is unbelievably long for a post.  I apologize.  I need more fiber...maybe then I'll be more regular.  Maybe it doesn't work that way for blogging...who knows.  Still...this one was over 2500 words.  Looks like writing a book will be easy enough.  Haha.  Sweet dreams and Happy Mothers day!