What have you done today to make you feel proud

Evening to all of you out there. I hope as always this finds you well and happy. I am taking a break from my regularly scheduled review (or rant) to get a tad more serious then I have in a while. As you may or may not know tomorrow is the Day of Pink. In the event you are not aware, the Day of Pink is a day to stand up against Bullying and Homophobia. The day began to speak out against bullying towards a student in a Nova Scotia highschool and has since grown into a global awareness campaign.

If you have read some of my earlier posts you may know that I work for the Royal Bank of Canada. Last year when the Day of Pink (DOP) came about we had little to no coverage within our workplace about this activity. However this year, to my pleasant surprise, this has not only reached the "powers that be" at RBC but has filtered into branches (I work in a contact center.) I am moved beyond words that an event that is no very personal to every human being on the planet is part of a billion dollar corporations priorities. I am already very proud to work at RBC. Its values mirror my own and I appreciate that I have the opportunity to blossom. However, seeing the company come together over something that many people consider to "not be an issue" is heartwarming and unbelievably motivating. What makes me even more proud to be working for RBC is the people. As the only openly gay female (that I know of) and even more so, the only women I know who identifies as Gender Queer, I have never felt left out or even harassed due to my sexual orientation or outward appearance. Yes, like every gay individual, I have had to explain a few things to my hetero colleagues but these were always cases of genuine interest and never anything in the context of discrimination or ignorance. All this to say that I work in an amazing environment surrounded by amazing people. And I say this to anyone who works with me daily, YOU ARE RBC and you are what makes me proud!

I am moved by the amount of attention the DOP has received. All too many bullying cases and discrimination situations go unnoticed or worse are not even dealt with. I defy you to find one person in your surroundings who has not been bullied for one reason or another. We live in a society filled with a variety of social networking sites and means to communicate between ourselves. Unfortunately, we also leave ourselves open to harassment through those same means. We can be reached by facebook, myspace (yes that still exists,) BBM, MSN, facetime, email ... and those tools can easily be used against us to turn our lives into what some may consider hell. We put our whole lives out there on these mediums and they can all be used against us so easily. And when the harassing starts in rarely ends in any way that does not leave the user scared or worse. Yet we continue to bare our souls to the universe (present company included) without a second thought.

So I plead to you all gentle readers to take this fight to your cities, towns, schools, workplace. Do not tolerate the intolerable. Do not stand idly by and watch one more person shrink into obscurity. Stand up for those who are not ready to stand up for themselves. BECOME A ROLEMODEL!. Stand tall and proud, because you, YOU are the future and you have the power to mold it into anything you want it to me. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the fight.

I leave you with resources that may help.

http://www.dayofpink.org/

PLFLAG: http://www.pflagcanada.ca/en/index-e.asp

BullyingCanada: http://www.bullyingcanada.ca/

FCKH8T: http://fckh8.com/Bullies/

Be strong my friends...

But these stories don't mean anything. When you've got no one to tell them to. It's true...I was made for you

Happy Monday to all. I hope this finds you well, warm and happy. I am a bit behind on this blog post as I intended to have it written before the weekend. If you have been anywhere near me in the last 2 months I can assure you that you have wanted to hit me atleast once or twice because my favorite topic on conversation has been the Greys Anatomy Musical Event. (I ask you to stop rolling your eyes. Thank you very much)

Now, to say that I am a big fan of Grey's would be a complete lie. (I am a HUGE fan) Other then Glee its the only other show I never miss. Yes, dear audience, I love this show. More so than the show, I have a fond love of my favorite gay female couple, Arizona Robbins and Callie Torres. Man oh man do I love these characters. Despite not always having a major plot point, I sit patiently waiting for either character to grace the screen or even (GASP!!) share an affectionate moment or two with once another. So you can understand my excitement knowing that an episode would be devoted to Callie (and subsequently Arizona) and to make my gay little day even better there would be singing! I read anything I could possibly get my hands on about the Musical Event. I knew every spoiler, had listened to every song from the set list, watched every pre-released clip, I was good and prepared! Or so I thought....

I knew poor Callie was going to perform a triple lutz straight through the passenger window, I knew Callie would go to hell and back. However when I first saw her twitching on the hood of her car my heart was in my throat. The full on panicked and helpless feeling Arizona was going through made it all the more painful to endure. What do you do when you know you can't do anything? It's that earth shattering moment when you realize you could loose that person you love more than anything and would trade places with them if it were possible. An Emmy needs to go to both actresses for their roles in this episode, honestly, Bravo ladies, Bravo!

When the first notes of Chasing Cars floated in, I like many of you, had fallen under Sara Ramirez's beautiful spell. As Callie's eyes dart back and forth in shock and panic as she "sees" her friends and colleagues singing I felt that panic transcend to those watching. Owen's deep, almost soothing voice was pleasantly surprising. I had no idea the man could sing! The key moment in Chasing Cars was the angelic moment where all three (Baily, Hunt, Callie) voices joined. My props go out to the sound mixing in this episode because how they went back and forth between signing and actual medical work was amazing.

Another highlight was "How to Save a Life." I appreciated that the group numbers (mostly) contained the entirety of the song. The emotion in each persons voice, conveying each ones fears and insecurities. Their desperation was palpable. The song pulled me in, culminating at the point where Callie and Arizona's hands link on the glass looking down at Callie's body as she flatlines and her baby lies motionless. That moment for me sealed their bond forever.

If you have seen the episode I am sure you are going to think that the duet between our fair ladies was my favorite scene. Well gentle readers that is unfortunately not correct. I was somewhat disappointed to be honest. Not because of the acting or the song choice, only because more of the song was not used. I was looking forward to hearing Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) get to sing more. However the powers that be started it well into the song where Callie's part started. I thought the dynamic that was created was beautiful and very touching, however I was looking forward to more.

Now what was my favorite scene of the show? Well I am so happy you asked friends. When Callie goes back into her head I wasn't sure where this was going to take us. I was worried that Callie would be saying no to Arizona's ill timed proposal. Then they started to sing and I found myself smiling like an idiot completely caught up in Callie's mind and what she thought everyones "happy place" was like. Seeing the flirtatiousness between both women was o amazing. There was no big deal about the gay couple or treating them any differently. Frankly, it was refreshing.

I honestly would give this episode a 10. It had so many elements that worked for them. They made the idea of a musical work in a medical drama which I know many people said was impossible. They succeeded in making big mushy sucks of us all. I commend Grey's for taking such a risk (a very well publicized risk however a risk none the less.) I fell in love with the show all over again!

Companion to our demons They will dance, and we will play With chairs, candles, and cloth Making darkness in the day

Happy weekend to all. I am amazed to see the amount of traffic the blog is getting and its truly humbling. Thank you all for sharing this little shard of my existence, I hope you enjoy my madness.

Friday night I was blessed with a ticket to see Sarah Mclachlan for the second time in my life. The first time I saw her was 6 years ago at the Montreal Bell Center. It was an amazing night where I ended up front row center infront of one of my favorite artists. This time it was a much smaller and more intimate setting at Theatre St-Denis. I was excited to see her perform as well as see the opening act Butterfly Boucher (she opened for Sarah during her Afterglow tour.) I had never seen her before she first opened for Sarah's first tour and was blown away. She was amazing! You may very well have heard one of her songs before if you watch Greys Anatomy. Her song "A bitter song" was made famous by that show. Here, have a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6gASIf6h5k&feature=related I really recommend you take some time to get to know this very talented artist.

Like most shows you expect to see the opening artists each take their turn on stage and then the main even starts. The lights dropped soon after 7:30. In the small venue you could barely make out the forms taking their places on stage. Slowly the lights turned back on and a gentle melody began to fill the theater. Beautiful vocals joined the acoustics and before I could realize what was happening Sarah Mclachlan was standing center stage. I looked to my friend beside me in utter shock to see the main act starting the show. After melting the crowd with her angelic voice for a few songs she introduced her "backup singers" and to everyone's surprise these two talented singers turned out to be the opening acts (Butterfly and Melissa Mclelland) Each women took center stage in turn, backed by the band and Sarah herself, sharing the artwork of their souls with the audience. Despite the power of these artists I found myself drifting back to watching Sarah sing. Using the word angelic does not come close to describing her presence on stage. This woman feels music in a way that no one else does. If you watch closely her body, specifically her hands, glide with the music in a way that feels as though they are an extension of her voice.

I have many favorite moments from that show (personally this was my favorite concert to date.) "Possession" was the first Sarah Mclachlan song that I had ever heard. I fell in love with this haunting melody it right away, however not being very experienced in life I truly didn't understand the words until my early twenties. It is far from a romantic song, it takes you through an emotional journey that I can only describe as erotically perverse. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEF1Pl5YXKw&feature=fvsr) Of course not all her songs are for the stalker in you, some are filled with love stories as well as "divorce" stories. The journey is diverse and so enjoyable to follow. As a huge fan it was amazing to hear old favorites like "tears of endearment" and "ice cream" and new favorites like "loving you is easy."

Esthetically the stage was simple but beautiful. There was an amazing family feeling to the band and other acts. You felt a genuine affection among them. I highly recommend seeing Sarah if you ever get the chance. I leave you a snippet of her show in Boston with one of Butterfly's songs as well as the two opening acts performing a few songs. Enjoy, and happy trails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8UFL_PKTeE&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNF1W1b-KD4&feature=related

Guppy Face

Something I forgot to mention yesterday (and have been kicking myself since) was a moving and inspiring song that became a contender for New Directions to perform at Regionals. And that amazing song was sung by our darling Santana! I direct you to this link -------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tizlKcSH1A "Trouty Mouth" was hilarious yet Santana managed to add her sexiness to this number. I don't know about you, but she can make any fish reference she wants in my direction, I don't care!

Everyone you wanna be might have started out like me

Happy Friday all! If you are anything like me you are celebrating the wondrous feeling that only the weekend can bring. It has been an oh so special week and I am thrilled to be free of the shackles that are work. What better way to bring in this glorious weekend but to bring it in full on Gleek style. Sit back and enjoy!

Well, the moment we have all been waiting for has arrived. Yes ladies and gentleman, regionals are here and everyone is a twitter (as opposed to everyone twittering, that is a whole different story.) Following the wonder and awe that followed Santana's coming out of sorts last week, I didn't have very high hopes for this episode. More than anything I was deterred by all the hype surrounding the fact that Glee would be introducing original songs. I had heard both "Loser Like Me" and "Get it Right" prior to the episode airing however I was far from wowed. But that's getting ahead of myself, lets start at the beginning.

I am a gals gal, but Blaine and Kurt together make me all warm and fuzzy inside. Just take a look, go on I'll wait. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbsl84aAaNE There you go, see what I mean? When Kurt sings "Blackbird" the emotion he portrays is intense You feel those feeling melt through the television. What was even more touching was the emotional transition Blaine goes through as he realizes he does in fact have feelings for our young Kurt. The range of emotion as he goes from being in awe to being in love (or lust,) it was a thing of acting beauty. As much as I love Kurt and Blaine getting their big gay mack on, their regionals performance left me wanting. Despite my utter love of all things P!nk, I felt that The Warblers had many more performances that wowed this season (um Gap flash mob?!?) and what was chosen in the end was far from that. But we all cant sing about Jesus now can we?

Let me preface this next part by saying I don't care for the Rachel/Finn/Quinn drama. But without this teen love triangle we would never have experienced Rachel's moving "Get it Right." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7qHYuVDIYY Rachel may be a princess but damn she plays sad well. For anyone who has every been that unpopular nerd, geek, outcast, its nice to see her/him win out over little Miss Perfect (even if she is an teenage mother.) Come on Finn, you know you prefer the good-girl, spoiled, awkward princess, besides we all know they are the freaky ones!

Really, the moment that caused everyone to jump up and smack their pointer finger and thumb to their forehead was most certainly "Loser Like Me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ59jBudWwQ A simple song about being the underdog and finding a way to shake it all off. This is a song that is the upbeat, anti-bullying theme of a new generation. Now, when I heard New Directions pull off My Chemical Romance's "Sing" I honestly thought that this was the song to do. It was an amazing anthem with a great message. How could a song they wrote for a fictional glee club compete with a motivating anthem such as "Sing?" Oh my god did they prove me wrong. "Loser Like Me" is motivating and so easy to get lost in. Its now my start up music for my 6:30 am walk to work. Its "repeat on my ipod" worthy. The impact is really in how it pulls you in and provides you with comfort as well as making you feel like a giant who can take on the world!

"Original Songs" was my second favorite episode (first being "Sexy") because it was fun to watch, emotional, funny and motivating. It was filled with intricate emotions, making you feel the excitement of a first kiss to the heart pumping thrill of a long awaited victory. Damn you Glee, you do it to us every week!

Breakfast is Confusing

Afternoon all. I had to come back to this happy place to talk a little about Glee. I find this to be a small obsession and frankly I need to talk about it. If you haven't seen episode 15 (everyone has a random) then please stop reading because you'll be spoiled.

Its not a surprise that I like girl on girl, alot. Infact I like it so much I b

log about it. For anyone who has followed Brittany and Santana you know that their "relationship" has caused a few of the saphic sisterhood to dislike the lack of romantic interactions these two share (or I guess, don't share.) Glee creator Ryan Murphy has been criticized for using these two lovely ladies as eye candy. Well Mr.Murphy you made a entire population stand up and cheer and then break down and cry last night. Santana is by far one of the most controversial characters on the show. She flaunts her sex appeal regularly and more often then not uses her body to get what she wants. Her sharp tongue has slashed even the toughest of souls and she takes no prisoners. Brittany on the other hand is the equivalent of that sad little puppy who often forgets how to walk down steps. She is a lovable character that has the best one liners on the show (anthem: the bottom of an ants pants.) Combine these two and you would think it would be disaster. Well my dear friends you are oh so wrong. This weeks episode was, for me, the best of season 2! The intimate way in which we experienced the anger, fear and final understanding that accompanies coming to term with ones sexuality was exquisite. Santana's outpouring of emotion was heartwarming. Who hasn't found themselves in love with someone they cannot have. Most homosexual individuals have experienced the pain of coming to terms with something that may very well rip their world apart. Most people have experienced that gut wrenching pain of loving someone who will never love you in the same way you love them. That truly helpless feeling that you get when no matter what you do or say, you can't change someones feelings for you.

Glee to some people is just a bunch of kids singing. Now I like the singing as much as the next dyke but the writing is what brings me back every week. (Well that and the sexified ladies but who's counting!?!) But when it really gets down to it the message is what draws us all in. Glee is like a singing Breakfast Club for a whole new generation. Everyone identifies with atleast one of the characters. That's why we all love this show, why we laugh when Brittany zings us (Dolphins are just gay sharks,) or sigh when Kurt gives us puppy eyes, or cry when Santana's heart grows three sizes and then gets crushed.

I leave you with the words of an iconic movie:

"Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detentionfor whatever it was we did wrong. What we did *was* wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...and an athlete... and a basket case... a princess...and a criminal... Does that answer your question?... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoyvUk24Ui8

Where to find me

I am planning something a little different. So for a while you will find me here:

http://365-days-of-change.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-to-my-journey.html