my most embarassing airport security check ever

I escaped. A few weeks ago, as my job was starting to get super stressful again, I flew out to Denver to meet up with the BF who was there for work. I had looked forward to the trip for many reasons—including sleep, becoming one with nature, visiting my friend in Vail, escaping my workaholism, and lots of sexy time with the BF.

I had no problem packing sexy time supplies with me that cleared the airport security check at National. I put all my toiletries in the right size baggie, took out my netbook, took off my shoes, put my weekend bag on the conveyer belt, and there I went—all clear for this well-prepared traveler.

To make a long story short, I accomplished my many goals for the trip—becoming one with nature rocks—but by the end of the long weekend, I was ready to go home. As I was packing my stuff, I didn’t have enough room for all of my sexy time supplies, so one of them had to be concealed in the carry-on bag because there was no room in my baggie.

For some reason, the airport was hopping early on a Sunday morning. I did my usual routine at the security check and passed through without a problem. Well, I physically passed through. As well as my netbook and shoes. My bag was a different story.

I watched as the 2 TSA ‘officers’ (is that the official title?) reversed the conveyor belt so they could take another look at my bag. Apparently, something didn’t look right. And I was holding up the security check line. Suddenly, the conveyor belt jerked forward and one of the officers opened my bag and began to search. He went into one of the innermost pockets in my bag and pulled out (for the line behind me to see)…

My LUBE!

Thankfully it wasn’t like Astroglide or one of those brands whose logo is loud and proud. But still. I felt my face flush pink. And the airport suddenly got incredibly hot and stuffy.

I wasn’t the only one blushing. So was the TSA guy (who couldn’t be more than 25 years old) as he took a long look at the bottle. He handed it to me saying, “Yeah, next time, if this doesn’t fit in your plastic bag, you can put your…uh…lotion…uh…in the bowl with your iPod and stuff.”

Uh…yeah…lotion. That’s what it was.

drive by guilt trip

I'm hosting a big event for my program this week and I've been crazy-busy lately trying to get everything ready in time.  This means long hours at work and no time for me.  Last Thursday, another day that I stayed late at work, I was waiting for a bus at the Pentagon.  Because it was way past rush hour, there weren't too many people waiting for a bus at that time.  I was in the middle of texting the bf when a woman said something to me from a few feet away.

Me:  I'm sorry but what did you say? 

Lady: I asked you if you just got off from work.

Me: Yes, I did.

Lady: You're so lucky.  Must be nice to have a job to get off from.

Me: ????

I was the victim of a drive by guilt trip.  I had no idea who this woman was and had never seen her before but the last thing I expected to be subject to while waiting for the bus is a guilt trip by a complete stranger. 

What she doesn't know is that a key component of my program is case management and my case managers have done an excellent job in finding jobs and job training for the participants that are unemployed. 

What she doesn't know is that I am completely aware of how lucky I am to have a job.  I honestly do think about this every day.  I realize that unemployment is high and I'm certainly fortunate to have a job in this economy.  I'm lucky because I have the capacity in this job to help people who need it.  I'm especially lucky because I love what I do. 

Upon realizing this, I decided to just go about my business.

Guilt trip over. 

this is me now

I look at myself in the mirror and I barely recognize myself.  Blood shot eyes due to an eye infection I've been battling since the holidays.  25 pounds lighter with a different body.  At least the cat hair on my clothes is familiar.

It's been a long time since I posted and, really, no one reads this blog any more.  And as trite as this sounds, the reason why I haven't blogged is because I've been so busy. 

My job has taken over my life.  I have NEVER before been so successful at anything and it turns out I kick ass at my job.  And I love it. 

What do I do?  I launched an addiction treatment and HIV prevention program in 2009.  Substance abuse and HIV risk go hand and hand so a program that addresses both seemed to make a lot of sense.  Within a year, the program has become more successful than I could ever have hoped for.  Drug use is down, HIV risk behavior is down, stability in housing and employment have gone up.  It really is a dream come true.

But it's challenging.  The emotional investment takes its toll after a while.  And the program is in high demand.  The program is currently at maximum capacity and I'm working on ways to expand and offer more services because I don't have the heart to turn anyone away.   And that takes some work and perseverence.

Despite the warnings from my friend Annie, my job has taken over my life.  I've lost contact with friends.  I only talk to my mom once a week (used to be every day).  And my 5+ year relationship has been...well...not the same.  And while my professional life makes me very happy (yet tired), I am not satisfied with how the rest of my life is going. 

So I'm back because I need an outlet.  A change.  I need to do something for me.  I used to have fun blogging and even more fun making friends through the blog.  Whatevs, I'm going to give this a shot and see where it takes me.   

And if you're still reading this, maybe you'd like to join me on this journey.   

 

my reaction to Virginia election results: meh

First my Anaheim Angels lost the ALCS.  Then my Hokies lost two games in a row.  THEN my Trojans lost to Oregon in the most embarrassing game I've ever witnessed.  By the time Creigh Deeds (D) lost the election for Virginia Governor my reaction was meh*.

Unlike the mass hysteria that infected conservatives when Obama was elected a year ago (OMG Virginia is now blue therefore a communist state, OMG we've just elected a Muslim terrorist, OMG we have a baby killer as president), I will gracefully admit defeat.  The Dems lost fair and square.  There's no conspiracy, no right wing effort to keep the poor from voting, no excuse. 

Yesterday, I had to convince my boyfriend to vote.  Why did he not want to vote?  Well, he was sure Bob McDonnell (R and women-hater) would win.  I was all ready to drag him to the polls, but fortunately I was able to convince him that Deeds was not the only Dem who needed our support.  But it bothered me that he didn't really care. 

Not that I blame him.  I didn't feel very personally invested in Deeds' candidacy. 

As much as I enjoy the voting process, the decision to vote for Deeds was--again--kinda meh.  Deeds was not my pick in the primaries; Brian Moran was.  I phone-banked for the guy because I really wanted him to win the nomination.  Sure, he was a long shot, but I supported Moran out of principal--he was the only candidate of the three that vocally opposed the marriage amendment that defined marriage in VA as an arrangement only between a man and a woman.  When Deeds came out of nowhere to win the primary, I was less than enthusiastic.  However, as a loyal Dem, I knew I was going to vote for him (especially, considering the opposition). 

I thought about volunteering for Deeds a couple of times but I wasn't really inspired by him to do anything.  I've been hearing since the campaigning began that the VA and NJ governor's races would be an indication of the public's feelings about Obama thus far.  I didn't so much as THINK about Obama whenever I thought of Deeds and I don't think Deeds loss has anything to do with the President.  Deeds lost because he failed to connect with voters.  He didn't connect with independents and he definitely didn't connect with the base.  I visited a liberal VA blogger's open election day thread yesterday where everyone was posting whom they had voted for.  I was SHOCKED by how many libs didn't even vote for governor.  Sure, they voted for the other candidates but they left the governor slot blank.  Wow.  That's how disconnected we were.

Why the disconnect?  Well, Deeds didn't always represent my interests.  In the second debate, Deeds actually said he would consider "opting out" of any public option for health insurance, even though polls in Virginia showed that the majority of Democrats and Independents want a public option.  Who was Deeds representing with that statement?  The GOP?  As the Dem candidate?  It's statements like that (or the one where he told a reporter that he was going to do good in Richmond because people like him there) that caused a disconnect with the base. 

Still, I voted for Deeds but my vote was not so much FOR HIM as it was AGAINST MCDONNELL.  The man makes my feminist blood boil.

I hate to be selfish but I'm so grateful to live in the liberal enclave that is Arlington (sorry, rest of Virginia).  It's going to be a long 4 years but I hope that McDonnell doesn't f*ck up the state too badly (if he is as great a governor as Schwarzenegger then Virginia is doomed). 

Oh and good luck trying to widen 66 inside the beltway, McDonnell.  It's a 10-year-old battle but I'll to be happy to join the protest against your initiative.  

*Meh--"The verbal equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders." (definition courtesy of Urban Dictionary)

being the typical Libra that i am...

Things that made me happy this weekend

• Finding out that Obama lifted the funding restrictions on stem cell research
• Cuddling in bed with Jesse and the furbabies
• Gracie, my silent diva kitty, meowing loudly at me TWICE!
• Getting tickets to see the Angels play the Red Sox at Angel Stadium
• Working out on the Wii Fit and finding out I lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks (I heart u, Wii Fit!)
• Finding out that Obama may throw out the first pitch on Opening Day at Nats Stadium
• Getting tickets for the Nats on Opening Day
• Hanging out with friends
• Going shopping at DSW
• Finding out that my BFF Kattie is coming to visit me this summer (I hope she knows that I cannot be held responsible for my kitties' behavior during her stay)

Things that made me mad this weekend

• My GPS telling me to make a left when I should've made a right
• Getting cut off exactly 3 times between Rt. 50 and home (the distance between the 2 is very short)
  
• Braking hard because some out of state driver freaked out over the Mixing Bowl (VA's equivalent of the Orange Crush in OC).
• Finding out that Angels tickets prices have increased
• Paying extra for Angels tickets even though they let go of my favorite player, Garrett Anderson
  
• Being told by the Wii Fit that I am 'unbalanced'
• My home internet being down nearly ALL WEEKEND LONG (was up long enough to buy tix)
  
• Reading about how the Vatican thinks the washing machine did more to liberate women than the feminist movement
• Reading criticism of Michelle Obama and her arm-bearing ways
• The loss of one hour of sleep

I think this means I had a perfectly balanced weekend.

just in case you didn't already know a lot about me...

The blogosphere has been full of all sorts of memes lately and I'm a sucker for a meme. This time it's a 5 question interview with another blogger (in this case Zipcode). If you want to play, feel free to email me or leave a comment. I'd be happy to interview my blog peeps (or be interviewed).

Here are Zipcode's 5:

1. I admire your passion for politics, was there anyone who influenced you to have the views you have now?

I don't have a short answer to this one (so you've been warned). It wasn't someone. It was something. And that something was the Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 1999. I was an intern in DC at the time and came to the city knowing very little about politics and I hadn't really picked a side yet. Because my boss was quite the AIDS activist, I joined him for all of his activist work, including a rally on Capitol Hill to urge the Senate to pass the Act and lots of closed door meetings with various Senators who were pushing for the Act to pass. Essentially, I was pretty disgusted with the GOP's negative attitude towards the bill which would give patients more power in deciding their own health care rather than acquiescing to the will of their HMO. It wasn't until I realized the role of special interests in politics that I began to understand why the GOP would want to protect HMOs (and the whole concept of HMOs is a GOP idea; Nixon has been credited with the it). So yes, I understand that special interests affect both parties, but I couldn't care less about what's best for HMOs (and frankly, neither would their constituents). That was pretty much the first time I thought to myself, I guess this makes me a Democrat.

2. I also admire your passion for HIV Research and Awareness, what made you decide to get into this?

Again, this also goes back to my time as a DC intern. I interned for the National Association of People with AIDS and worked alongside a kickass AIDS activist (at the time, I had no idea he was well known and would rather not mention him on this blog so he wouldn't be embarrassed). He had such a passion for the cause and worked hard to push for funding for education and prevention. He was HIV+ and, everyday, I could see how sick his meds sometimes made him but that never stopped him from fighting the fight. He inspired me to do what I do. He's the reason why I decided to pursue public health rather than medicine as a career (I was pre-med before my internship and not pre-med when I came back). It's not a stretch to say that my internship in DC changed my life in many ways.

3. What is your favorite memory of your days at USC?

Oooh...I have tons of favorite memories, but my all time favorites come from game days during football season. Yeah, the team sucked when I was a student but the school has so many neat traditions (kick the poles! walk with the band!) and obviously a strong infectious spirit that we even recruit non-alums into the family (ie Jesse and Zipcode). Every home game, my friends and I would pre-party before the game and then meet up with other friends in the student section. We'd hug/high-five for every touchdown back then (TD's weren't as common an occurrence then as they are now) and we'd sing with the band every time they played the UCLA sucks song (which is played at every game regardless of whether UCLA is there or not). It was loads of fun back then. While I still try to go to one home game a year, it's not as fun now that I've graduated. The student section rocked!

4. What brought you to Washington, DC?

I came here to pursue a masters in public health at GWU and I stayed for two reasons: ONE, this is THE place to do HIV/AIDS work and, TWO, I met Jesse.

5. Can I have Nicki and Gracie? Just kidding - Do you plan on anymore furbabies in the near future?

No, you can't have my furbabies! I would love to have more furbabies, but Jesse isn't really too keen on the idea. On the weekends, I can't help but watch Animal Cops and Animal Precinct on Animal Planet and it breaks my heart to see all of these neglected or abused animals. Thankfully, they get rescued and treated and then become available for adoption. Not to presume that Nicky and Gracie had a cushy life before we adopted them, but I would really like to adopt a kitty that typical adopters would overlook--probably an older cat who wouldn't mind being spoiled in the later years of life or another black cat. I think it's strange how people don't adopt black kitties because Nicky is probably the sweetest kitty ever.  But adopting another one is something that Jesse and I must agree to together.  However...if a stray kitty just happened to cross my path one day looking all homeless, then I would totally take it home!

A as in Awesome!

There's a blog meme going around...

If you want to participate, leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter. You then write about 10 things you love that begin with your assigned letter and post them on your blog. When people comment on your posted list, you give them a letter and the chain continues on and on.

I love me some memes so I answered Zipcode's challenge and she assigned me the letter A.

image borrowed from memorymakersmagazine.com

What do I love that starts with the letter A?

Angels--Not the heavenly kind but the baseball kind.

image borrowed from eteemz.com

Animals, obviously, with my favorite animals being my lovely kitties, Dominick and Gracie


Arlington, VA--my home, which I'm trying to love, I swear!

America--I heart America Ferrara! She's one of my favorite actresses, she's an excellent role model for young Latinas AND she's a Trojan. That's a triple threat right there!

image borrowed from aol.com


Also, Team America, which was a hilarious movie, especially for giving us this little gem of a song

image borrowed from amazon.com

¡Ask a Mexican! which is my favorite weekly column, written by my favorite weekly columnist Gustavo Arellano

Avalon, which is one of two cities on Catalina Island, a small island off the coast of California. I've had lots of fun there.



Allen, Lily, who is one of my favorite singers and I'm anxiously awaiting for her new album to drop in a couple of weeks.

image from http://www.lilyallenmusic.com/

Alligator Bites...yummy! Who knew gator could taste so good?

image borrowed from ourtown50.com

Adorable...and when I think of 'adorable', the first thing to pop in my head is my niece Serena


Autumn, which quickly became one of my favorite seasons once I started to experience seasons on a regular basis. But no matter what coast I'm on, autumn usually means one thing to me--COLLEGE FOOTBALL!



BONUS
Ass, as in my ass, which I fell on multiple times today while trying to walk on icy roads and sidewalks.


If you wanna play, let me know in the comments and I'll assign you a letter.

music to get you in the mood for change...

Ding, dong, Bush is nearly gone!

Honestly, I have tried so hard to resist doing a countdown to the end of the Bush Era and I think I've done a pretty decent job so far. And then I got inspired to write this post after my Just How Crappy was Bush as President post. I swear, my posts this week are not a countdown!

Anyhoo...are you finding it hard to accept the change in command on Jan. 20th? Are you dreading the traffic clusterf*ck and Metro Hot Mess (TM) that is inevitable this weekend? Do you find the uptake in tourist numbers scary?

Come on, now! Obama is going to be our new president. And Bush will be gone. Forever (please, God, please!), I hope. And speaking of hope, that's what Obama is all about, remember (well, that and change)?

So how about an inaugural soundtrack to get your mind off of how the inauguration might suck (you know, logistically) and how awesome it is to have a new president not named Bush...

No tribute to the end of the Bush era would be complete without Ms. Aretha Franklin's Chain of Fools

Chain Of Fools - Aretha Franklin

At the peak of my Bush hate, I rocked out to Incubus' Megalomaniac many times

Megalomaniac - Incubus

*Jesse submission alert* Someone I heart thinks this song would be a great way to kick off the weekend

Celebration - Kool and the Gang

And, well, you have to have this one on your list for obvious reasons: Sam Cooke's A Change is Going to Come

A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

And for you rap enthusiasts, there's "Black President" by Nas

Black President - NaS

And speaking of rap, I have to have Chicago's own Common with his Obama tribute, The People

The People - Common

It's hard to ignore the historical significance of Obama's election. U2's Pride (In the Name of Love) is a nice reminder of how far we've come

Pride in the Name of Love - U2

And who can forget the distraction that was the ObamaGirl, with her song I Got a Crush on Obama?

I Got A Crush On Obama - Obama Girl

And speaking of silliness, how about the Obama variety show song, Solid as Barack (courtesy of SNL)?


Finally, at least 80% of us are happy he's finally leaving office and for us, there's this song, which is the perfect Bush kiss off. I present to you, GWB (F* You Very Much) by Lily Allen (it's a happy song, I promise...however, the chorus is NSFW)

GWB (F*ck You Very Much) - Lily Allen

Oooh...that was fun! 

I realize music isn't going to keep Metro from effing up big time this weekend but I do hope this list helps you get into the inauguration mood!