LET'S POP-ROCK THE VOTE!*

I don't know how to turn on my television (the remote is very complicated so don't judge). I don't know how to sew (unless stitch witch counts). I know nothing about the square of the hypotenuse (except in reference to The Pirates of Penzance). The list of "Things Vikki Doesn't Know" could go on forever. One thing I do know, however, is that visibility is powerful. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't toil away here spinning tales about my life or come out to every single person that looks at me and, just so you know, a lot of people look at me so I'm pretty busy. I am as out as a person can be because I deeply believe that it matters. It should come as no surprise then that I believe that a visible queer presence online is necessary, especially since so many people interact through social media these days. Queer folk and their allies should be visible everywhere and that includes blogs, comments on stories, Twitter, Facebook, Google Wave (add that to the list of "Things Vikki Doesn't Know") and every message board out there. I know what you're thinking, "Vikki - your hair looks really great today!" and to you I say, "Thanks. It really does!" Wait - let's try this again. You're thinking "Vikki - where is this going because I have other things to do like watch of old episodes of Underdog." Let me get to the point - I mentioned yesterday that Autostraddle is a finalist in the Mashable awards and I want you to dedicate the next 13 days to voting for them. Why should you do this? Well, let me count the reasons:

1. You like me and I have you in a trance (Cluck like a chicken!)

2. You like queers because we are so cute and cuddly (Queers are the new Koalas)

3. Autostraddle is the first gay-focused website in the three-year history of the Mashable awards to make it to the final round of voting in any category.

It doesn't matter if you read Autostraddle. It doesn't matter if you don't know what Autostraddle even means - I don't. It doesn't matter if I die from food poisoning because I'm still eating leftover turkey from Thanksgiving (okay...that actually matters). I am asking you to vote for Autostraddle to make queer media visible. There are a lot of you allies out there that have asked what you can do to help and this is a good start. Don't worry, I'll ask you to do other things to further the cause later...like bring me coffee and rub my shoulders.

Autostraddle is up against huge mainstream media sites so it is clearly the underdog but I really believe that we can push it to the top. You can vote twice per day, once from Twitter and once from Facebook. If you don't do Twitter, now is the time to join (Plus, you can follow me. I hate to brag but recently I earned the title of Captain Random because of my tweets and who doesn't want to know what led me to greatness).

Here's how to do it:

Follow this link to Mashable every day from your Twitter account, Facebook account or both. Then, select "Online Magazine" and then select "Autostraddle.com". So simple! Pass this link around to every single person you know and beg them to vote. "Ain't to Proud to Beg" must be our new theme song to guarantee success and we will succeed.

In the immortal words of Underdog, "I am a hero that never fails, I can't be bothered with such details".

*I stole the title of this post from Riese (one of the Autostraddle peeps). I don't think she'll mind.

Goodbye NaBloPoMo

Another NaBloPoMo has come and gone and I successfully wrote thirty posts in thirty days. I never promised thirty high quality posts in thirty days. Check the fine print. After all these years of NaBloPoMoing, I've learned that you can't be brilliant every day or every other day or even half the days. If you write a couple of things that you're really proud of then you have accomplished something. So, I'm going with that standard. Low standards are the key to positive outcomes and high self-esteem. To finish the month, I thought I would leave you with a list of 30 things that I thought about in the last 30 days for which I am thankful (this is totally off the cuff so if you are special or did something special or said something special and I don't recognize it in this list just remember that I am single-parenting this week and my mind is in a thousand places and that you are/did/said probably the most special thing ever and I'm just keeping it to myself to treasure like a little chestnut of goodness and now this is the longester parenthetical statement in the entire world):

1. My children recovered quickly from H1N1

2. I've had some really good talks with my sister lately

3. My kids make me laugh more than they make me cry

4. I had a week off from work and enjoyed every minute of it

5. Reese's Peanut Butter trees are now for sale

6. Portuguese wine is tasty

7. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by great friends on Thanksgiving

8. I've enjoyed playing ping pong with my son

9. I love that my daughter is starting to really read

10. I'm happy that Luisa got to take her trip to Haiti and arrived safely (finally)

11. I am so lucky to have so many people to talk to online

12. Twitter - seriously, love Twitter

13. I am lucky to have a job...even if it drives me crazy

14. China

15. Laughter

16. Music

17. Sarcasm

18. I am thankful that I live a comfortable life and recognize that all my existential angst is a privilege

19. Horrible Monkey Deaths - the thought of which still makes me laugh

20. Cocktail monkeys - I haven't found them yet but I think of them often and someday they will be mine (or at least this will)

21. Great boots

22. Takeout when I'm lazy

23. My iPod (I know that I said music already but I have a different, special kind of love for my iPod)

24. Bloggers that keep me informed and entertained (especially Autostraddle who is up for best online magazine in the mashable awards so go vote for them right now...do it for me)

25. The weather has been very mild and so I am thankful that Heat Miser and Snow Miser seem to have reached a truce over Minnesota

26. Love

27. Thank god I'm a country boy (I'm actually not a country boy but I couldn't help throwing that in there)

28. Fleece

29. Hugs and kisses

...and lastly...

30. All of you who come here and read my crazy thoughts and say nice things in the comments even though you probably think that I'm a wackadoodle

Now, I will retire to my lair and rest. Goodnight to you all.

Back to the Grind

Luisa left for Haiti this morning which means I'll be stuck blessed with the children for the next 7 days. I also have to go back to work tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll be back in cubicle land with tons of cases on my desk and forms to complete and calls to return. I've already started having anxiety dreams about work because I like to get a jump on fretting and dread. Last night, I dreamed that a client left $9000 at the office and it needed to be deposited in the bank. I told my program manager that I didn't feel comfortable handling that kind of cash and wouldn't do it. She got mad at me and told me that I had to take the money to the bank. So, I went to the bank and, when I got there, the money was gone. Naturally, I freaked out. I returned to the office and went to the program manager who said, "Oh yeah, I decided that you were right and I took the money out of your bag." ARGH! My week off was wonderful and I'd like to say that I'm no longer a burned out social worker. I'd like to say that but can't. I'm still burned out. Is there a pill for this?  No? I realized that I could totally be a stay at home mom...now that my kids are in school full-time. That is not to be and so I must return to the salt mines. Let me just tell you, though, if I find $9000 on my desk tomorrow I am keeping it. I'll use it to buy us all a drink.