Live from Jamaica Plain

That's right folks, the computer has arrived. I promptly set up the
wireless and found a network to piggyback on. Of course the connection is kinda shotty so maybe one day Claud and I will get the courage to walk upstairs and ask the Mingo boys if maybe they'd like to share their network.

Hopefully now that I am freed from the confines of having to use the internet at work I will be able to get more things done- like posting ;). 

"Sometimes you wanna go...

...where everybody knows your name."

As has been noted before on my blog, I live in lesbian, hippie central- Jamaica Plain. As also has been noted I am very, very happy with my new community. It makes me happy just to walk to the T in the morning and bask in the beautiful quaintness of my neighborhood. Last week I came to another important realization about my new home: for the first time since leaving Mount Holyoke I am actually part of my community.

Boston Pride was 2 weekends ago and since I live in lesbian central there was much going on in my community. The only event I attended was the JP women's block party (which happened to be like 2 feet from my front door). Maria and Chelsea (friends from MHC) and I had made plans to meet up at the block party but due to my poor communication skills they were not able to go until after I had to leave. And my friend Anastasia was also not planning on going until later. So I decided to do something I never do- go by myself. Then at the last minuet I got a phone call from another friend saying she would like to go- so we met up, paid our $10 donation to get into a roped off stretch of street with alcohol and ladies dancing on platforms- cowgirl go go dancers to be exact. While we were there I ran into at least 10 people that I know and even made a few new friends (and also got hit-on a little, including being told that I "Wear [my softball uniform shirt] well"). All told it was a very fun filled and community feeling day.

Then later in the week I walked over to J.P. Licks to meet up with friends for some yummy local ice cream. And of course, I bumped into two people from one of my softball teams. Finally on Friday I decided that since the weather was finally being cooperative I would go for a jog around Jamaica Pond. As I ran and people watched (the "pond" is 1.5 mi. around and attracts many the jogger and stroller) I decided that I was definitely going to see someone I knew. But I finished the loop and still no one. Then just as I was about to leave the pond Sally, a woman I know from football, came running over- Jackpot, my hypothesis proved.

That was when it hit me- community, real community. With neighbors and friends and even "free boxes" (a phenomenon I first discovered at Mount Holyoke- got something you no longer need that someone else might like? Just put it in a box with a sign that says free and someone will give it a new home. So far I got myself a spiffy new pair of sunglasses.)

*I'm not happy with the flow and structure of this post, but I can't think of how to fix it. Hopefully the point I'm trying to make came across.

Won't you take me from Funky Town?

Thank you Claire, for that much needed slap into reality.

Ever since I got back from Spain I have been in such a strange funk that I just can't shake. Its like I have suddenly found myself at this place in my life where I'm just sitting here. I'm waiting for all of these things to happen but they're not quite happening yet and so I go through each day in a complete daze and I find it impossible to get the small things done. Seriously, this needs to stop because it is getting really annoying.

This strange state of mind is affecting my work as well, and that is not a good thing because eventually someone is going to notice that I am getting nearly nothing accomplished in the "7.5 hours" that I'm here every day. Somehow myspace, friendster and facebook became the most important things in my life- they're not reality folks!

Anyway, one of those things that I've been waiting for is finally going to happen: I'm moving to Jamaica Plain, otherwise know as JP or if you ask Po GayP. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am moving to the official lesbian community of Boston. Wow, sometimes I'm so gay: I just realized that I communicate with more men through my blog than in real life (mike, you are pretty much the only male that I actually talk to in person on a regular basis); I went to a women's college; I've played softball all my life (yes this is a stereotype- so what?); I play on a gay football team (not that women's football needs to be called gay to be gay); I just joined a slow pitch softball team in the Boston Alternative Women's league (BAWL); and I am moving to GayP.

This is JP (Not Funky Town)

I am also moving in with my friend Claudia, and just Claudia. The two of us are going to make our beautiful two bedroom, with dinning room, living room and enclosed balcony apartment into a cozy home- a real home. We even have plans for a room that is decorated entirely with art work by our friends- so if you have anything you want displayed in a stylish 20 something apartment send it our way.

This is Claudia and me (Don't worry I don't let
her touch my rack until she's paid me first)

Anyway, this wasn't really a post of substance- that is lame after such a long break- but I am just emerging from my coma so you're gonna have to give me a minuet.

PS. my grandpa has a girlfriend- that is pretty much all I can say about that...

Queereoke

Last night after football practice I went out with my team to a bar where "Queereoke" was being held. Yes, it was as much fun as it sounds! We all decided (it wasn't the whole team- I think there were like 6 of us) to sing a song together, and I foolishly mentioned that I thought "Sweet Caroline" would make a good kareoke song. Just in case you were wondering- "Sweet Caroline" is NOT a good kareoke song, the chorus is too high and the song is too slow. But we had fun and that's what counts.

A little later when the bar had gotten more full, the "DJ" decided to sing "Piano Man" by Billy Joel. He was massacring the words and I was singing along and complaining. Linda told me that I should go up and join in, but I just shook off her suggestion. Then he said it, "Anyone who wants to come up and take over for me is welcome." So, with a couple beers in me, I shakily got up and took the stage. The song was only a fourth of the way through so I had a ways to go. Then something amazing happened, people stopped what they were doing and paid attention, and cheered me on, and sang with me- I am not ashamed to admit that I did a good job, and it was really fun. Afterward my teammates all congratulated me and told me I had a good voice and such. Then something weird happened.

Random girls started coming up to me to tell me I had a good voice. Keep in mind that I had come from football practice- I looked grubby, bag shirt and sweat pants with hair pulled back in a frizzy half pony. But somehow, despite my appearance i was being hit on more than I am accustomed to, and one of these girls was relentlessly throwing looks my way.

So if you ever find yourself at a kareoke bar trying to impress the ladies- Billy Joel is where it's at.

And if you find yourself in JP (Jamaica Plaine Massachusetts) on a Thursday night go over to the Midway....it's a wicked good time!