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Oh hey it’s been a while. I moved and am now a housecub. I’m mostly settled, the new place is lovely, has no cats, and I get to have a garden plot. I’ve already planted acorn squash but have no idea how they’ll do in Oregon. This is a completely different growing scene than what I’m used to. I’m going to try potatoes for the first time as well.

I went to see my brother graduate from his nursing program, and of course I had to stop at Bonneville Dam to see more LAMPREYS!

They’re gross but cool in a way. Lamprey Pride.

It was Pride weekend here in Portland. I had fun! Because there’s a parade and a festival with cotton candy and I saw a bunch of people I got to catch up with. Of course it’s the season for dissent against Pride festivals for a few. This year’s article written by an angertwink is again about how we don’t need Pride celebrations. But it doesn’t speak for the majority of people who somehow manage to have fun at Pride.

This year I marched with the organization I’ve been volunteering with. The organization provides housing, medical services, and skills training to help homeless youth get off the street and back on their feet. Many of these youth are LGBT who were kicked out of their homes for being gay. Because that still happens even though some angertwinks still think we don’t need Pride celebrations. Anyway, a couple of heterosexual coworkers/allies brought their kids, dressed them up as small unicorns and put rainbow stuff all over their kiddie bikes and they all had a blast. I saw from pictures from DC Pride that a few straight allies marched with the Renegades to wave some rainbow flags and they also had fun. Perhaps we can learn from heterosexuals in these trying times: you should have fun at parades. It’s OK to have fun. And if you don’t think you’ll have fun then stay home.

BrettCajun keeps sending me lewd text messages. This is the most recent one – a pic of him giving me kissy-face:

Actually it’s a pic of a lamprey attached to the viewing window at the Bonneville Dam fish ladders. There were also shad and salmon running when Kiri and I stopped briefly to watch:

Yep that’s a salmon in the lower right of the image – a king or chinook I think. When fish are running it means that these fish are migrating upstream from the ocean to spawn, as they are anadromous. I like critters that swarm and migrate and stuff like that. Sadly I’m missing the cicada swarm back in DC! Anyway, I’d love to work there. I used to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lock & Dam #15 on the Mississippi River. There were a few positions open there I had applied to when I arrived, but the fucking sequester ended those options. The Army Corps is suffering even more brutal cutbacks than other federal agencies at this time.

Kiri had a conference in that area and I tagged along for the day. While she was conferencing I decided to explore the area around Hood River to check out the neighborhoods and outlying areas should I get offered the job out there. I must say the scenery is idyllic (click on any image to embiggen!):

My brother – who lives in that area and knows the dude I’ve been interviewing with – said I needed to make a follow-up call to continue expressing interest. I had already sent a follow-up email and bro said interviews are a lot like dates, and calling is better than texting or emailing. I rarely listen to him but this time he had a good point. So I did call and was promised a return call but it never came. Interviews are a lot like dates also in that you can get an impression from non-communication as well as direct communication. And non-communication is what they do best in this region. I don’t want to be stalky, and my guess is it’s not gonna happen. I would have taken the job, but part of me is also relieved. I’d be the only gay in the village if I moved there, however scenic:

I know, I know, I need a job but I’ve also lived in remote situations away from urban gay centers before. There are mistakes I don’t need to repeat again. I hate to think I’m dependent on gay ghettos, but no matter how many close friends you have it’s also good to be around people who “get it,” who are like you. With the Internet it’s a lot easier to be gay in rural areas but having the option to hang out with others of your kind in person is crucial to mental wellness. I remember how I felt out on the cold Siberian steppes of Kazakstan as the only gay in the village. Desperation is not something that comes easy to me. I guess I’m a city gurl at heart.

Four moves ago in DC, I hired the help of a Scottish-owned and operated moving company for some help. It’s a luxury for one with a bad back. During the move one of the Scottish guys looked at a piece of furniture I had planned to move and stated abruptly in a thick brogue, “Yuir furniture is crap! Are ye shore yew wont me to move this?!” Admittedly, it was crap, but move the goddamn furniture cuz I hired you to do so. On that particular piece of rotten particle board I relented. But still – STFU and move my crap!

Many years later as I pack again for another move, I realize the Scotsman was right. Most of my shit is crap. You realize this when you live with someone else for nine months and don’t really need most of it. Granted I’m living in a furnished situation, but most of it is still crap. Three large boxes are kitchen stuff that will come in handy once I settle, but most of my furniture is indeed crap. I guess I was counting on the likelihood that I would meet a guy with better crap. It’s 90% probable that a guy I move in with will have better crap than me. The hitch is I haven’t met a guy I want to move in with yet. So I settle with my crap and move my crap from place to place and will spend money to store my crap too.

Still haven’t heard back from the design firm in Hood River after my second interview last week, so I’m planning on moving in with two friends outside of Portland by the end of this week. Most of their furnishings are not crap, so I will bring very little of my crap into their home. All I really need for the short term is my clothes, outdoor equipment, computer, bike and Dungeons and Dragons books.

Picture of me was taken last week while I was showing a friend the neighborhoods of Portland. I look skinny, but have been in excellent health during my time in Portland. This is fortunate since I haven’t had health insurance. The bike rides to and from my volunteer gig have kept me trim and I’ve had plenty of time to work out at the gym as well. I’m at a weight I haven’t been in a long time. I hope wherever I land I’ll be able to continue to bike to work. It’s a lot nicer than driving or taking a bus and is good for my mood.

My sometime dungeon master for my other D&D group I’ve been playing with in Portland is moving back to SF. He’s the third person I’ve gotten to know who is moving or who has moved. It’s a tough town to settle down in as you may have gathered by some of my posts. A lot of people come and go. The difference between a newcomer and longtime resident is who you know. This weekend I caught up with an acquaintance who helped me get my first interview when I got here. He’s recently jobless but said he’s had 17 interviews since he lost his job a few months ago. SEVENTEEN IN TWO MONTHS. I’ve only had five in nine months. I pointed out this difference and we’re meeting up later to discuss my job approach and some options.

Anyway Tom wanted to see some sights before he left so I showed him Ape Caves where I went a few weeks ago. This time I wanted to try taking more pictures deeper in the cave, where light conditions might be challenging. Some of the pics turned out all right. Here I bumped up the ISO on the camera for this spooky shot of the lower cave:

Here’s me at the entrance. It was super-rainy outside and I thought it would be dryer inside, but the cave is close enough to the surface and plenty of water was dripping inside too.

Here’s Tom looking at the glittery Fool’s Gold (iron pyrite) in a nook of Ape Caves. If you look closely (click to embiggen) at the reddish area you can see the sparkles:

In other job/life/chaos news, I will be moving from my current place soon. I had to ask my hosts (who were originally from DC) “So at what point am I imposing?” Which I think was considerate question since they’ve been allowing me to live here rent-free. They need to get working on renovations so my time here is short. Moving again, no fun.

But of course as life would have it, I have a second interview with an interactive design firm next week. It’s for a project manager job, not public affairs, but uses a lot of my skillset. The catch is it’s in a town up the Columbia Gorge, an hour’s drive from Portland. If I took the job I would not commute from Portland. I don’t even have a car, but would have to get one if I lived there. The other catch is my tricorder detects very few gays there. I wanted a life change and life hands me change. Anyway I will certainly be moving out, but as to where we shall see. I have other lovely local hosts in town, or I may end up moving to the Gorge.

This is just satire, but I really really really wish it was real:

Last weekend I went to the Mount St. Helens Ape Cave Lava Tube with some friends. It’s a popular attraction in the Mount St. Helens National Monument and the longest lava tube in the continental United States at over two miles in length. Here’s my spelunker buddies Shawn and Trevor ready to ascend at the main entrance:

A headlamp and/or good flashlight with fresh batteries is recommended. Warm clothes, pants and a raincoat too (it’s drippy inside). From the main entrance to the caves, I recommend doing the Lower Cave first which is an easier hike and gives you an idea of whether you can handle more. You turn around and go back to the main entrance, and from there can choose to do the Upper Cave. It’s 1.5 miles underground, but a lot of scrambling over rock falls and a little climbing too. It was quite a workout but the inside of a lava flow was cool. Then you hike back to the parking area above ground. This was the exit from the Upper Cave area:

The ladder out can be seen in the lower left of the image. Then it’s the same distance hike overland on the way back. A lot of the geography around the cave reminded me of Iceland, albeit with a lot more trees.

NBA player Jason Collins came out a few weeks ago with much applause and a few dissenters as expected. But it’s probably the start of a small flood of athletes in the “big three” American sports to come out as openly gay. Of course we are proud of Martina Navratilova for coming out when she did, but the sports media has been drooling for an active player in the NBA, NFL and MLB to do the same.

Blogs and media sites were abuzz with the news for a few days, but a line from this article about Collins in the SFGate caught my eye:

“Soon, the NFL, NHL and MLB and (yawn) pro golf and even, maybe, a gay NASCAR driver, a guy who surely already exists and who is right now completely terrified of getting shot if he even dares to look in the direction of Jason Collins. Poor kid.”

When I read that I was like “Hey, I know an out NASCAR driver and he isn’t terrified.” In fact he’s been out for a while and is building an impressive record at a track near my hometown and elsewhere.

Driver Justin Mullikin. ©2012 Mary Schill/Forte Design

I met Justin Mullikin of JM Racing in September when I was visiting my family in Wisconsin. He went to the same high school I did, albeit a lot later. I was amazed to learn that he was out in high school, something I never would have considered in the late 80s. But times have changed even in the flyover states and they’re coming out a lot earlier.

Justin was recently interviewed at Queers4Gears, a site for queer NASCAR and motorsport fans. You can find them on Facebook and Twitter at @queers4gears. I asked Justin a few more questions because I wanted you and the SFGate to know that yep, there is an out NASCAR driver. And if you make it to the end of the interview you will read Justin’s correct prediction on who won RuPaul’s Drag Race this year.

Mullikin’s interest in cars started at an early age, but he didn’t get serious about it until about 2005 on a whim. Eight seasons and a handful of cars later the 27 year-old Cheesehead is still on track:

- I see your racing season is underway. How long does the season last?

Our season began on April 20th and will continue through the first weekend in October with a 4 week break from the first weekend in September until October’s final event.

- While you’re in the Sportsmen division (sort of like NASCAR “minor leagues” if I understand correctly) do your results count towards NASCAR national title standings?

We are a points based series, meaning that every night we earn a certain amount of points. The amount of points that we earn are dependent on where we finish in the events. Points accumulated go to a standing that determines the champion for our local track at the end of our season. Along with earning points at our local track we also earn points on a national level. We are ranked nationally and compete for a national level championship in what is called the “NASCAR Whelen All American Series division II asphalt program.”

- You’re not just the driver of your vehicle – you’ve also rebuilt it yourself it for racing. Are there other people are on your racing team helping you do this?

I do have help at the track from a number of people, but for the most part I build my car, motor, paint and do everything related to the assembly of the car myself. My best Friend Bill also races and we have formed a team so to speak at the track so we share equipment and information with each other and help each other at the track and during the off season constructing the cars.

- What sort of background in automotive engineering do you have that helps you get a car ready to race?

Follow JM Racing on Facebook!

I actually have no formal training or schooling in automotive engineering. I was always interested in cars growing up and by the time I got my license and first car I just started teaching myself and learning as much as I could by doing things on my own. Throughout the years or vowing to only fixing my own car and learning as much as I could about them I have learned pretty much everything there is to know about the mechanics and assembly of a car.

- So you’re good with machines and can drive. Are you still an “athlete”?

This is a question that regularly comes up when talking about a person who races cars for a living or for a hobby. There is far more to driving in a competitive manner than just going fast and turning in circles. The thing that people don’t understand about racing cars is they do not drive like your normal everyday street cars. Driving a car at very high speeds with manual brakes, manual steering and a suspension that is designed for maximum turning ability takes a toll on your body. Along with the physical strength required to drive the cars comes the mental strength. It takes a high level of mental focus and nerves to be able to drive a car that is in a near constant slide at extremely high speeds. Not only do you focus on yourself when in the car but what your fellow competitors are doing. It is in no way like driving down the highway to the mall. We are driving around a track at 100+ mph inches from other cars (sometimes touching) and controlling a car that is sliding, moving around and just on the ragged edge of crashing at all times.

- You mentioned in the Queers4Gears.com interview that for the most part you haven’t had any issues with other drivers for being gay. How did you handle it when they did?

Only one direct threat of action has made its way to me that I am aware of. The particular instance was never said directly to me, rather to a friend of mine who also raced. Fortunately for him he realized that at the end of the day that a.) I was a better driver and b.) I was not afraid to retaliate on track if he decided to take it there. Retaliating on track is rarely something that you as a driver want to do because of the potential for danger to yourself and everyone else.

- When did you come out?

I came out when I was 16 as a result of a friend of mine sharing our personal conversations with other people at school. I made the decision that I was going to take ownership of the situation and make of it what I chose to.

- What do you think about professional athletes coming out? Should we expect someone in other NASCAR series to come out soon?

Anytime that a person who is gay can be portrayed in a positive and uplifting manner is definitely a good thing. From a role model point of view I can see no better thing than the young people of this country viewing successful athletes they can relate to. It’s not a question of if it happens, more of when. I think that it will certainly happen but only time will tell.

- Who do you think is going to win RuPaul’s Drag Race this year?

Its Monsoon season…clearly! [Jinkx Monsoon] is by far the most talented competitor to have ever been on the show.

- Another thing you mentioned in the previous interview was “I typically don’t care if someone who has no meaning to me has anything to say,” regarding your sexual orientation on the track. That sounds like a good approach to dealing with homophobic comments. “Water off a duck’s back” as Jinkx Monsoon would say. What would you say to other athletes considering being out in their sport on dealing with homophobia?

At the end of the day it’s your life, and you should live it exactly how you see fit without letting anyone else get in your way. Being gay is nothing that will stop you from achieving your dreams or having a positive impact on someone else. Be the best you can be!

I have a great blog interview in the works with an out gay NASCAR driver from my hometown, but am waiting for him to get back to me with the final draft. Thought it would be relevant with the whole Jason Collins coming out thing. Stay tuned for that…

In the meantime, we’ve been enjoying spectacular weather in Portland with nothing but clear blue skies for weeks. Apparently last spring was so cold and wet for so long they speak of it in hushed tones and refer to those dark months as “Juneuary” and “Julyember.”

The recent weather reminded me of when I arrived in September, when it was about as warm and sunny as it’s been lately. And that reminds me of how long I’ve been here. I’m going on nine months here now and still no job. This is starting to get ridiculous. Granted, I have had four interviews with four different companies or agencies since I got here but don’t know how close I was to be considered for each job. But news coming out about the “New Unemployables” over 50 scares the crap out of me. Fortunately I’m still young and hip at 42 and hopefully still employable.

So I’ve expanded my search northward to Seattle, south to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and even back east to DC. At least in DC there are jobs and a robust network I’m familiar with. And good friends and a city I’ve gained a better appreciation for since I’ve been away. If by summer’s end I don’t find a job, it’s time to head back to more familiar territory.

Portland is a marketing town, with companies to work for like Columbia Sportswear, Nike, Intel and Adidas. I’ve done some marketing in the past, but my strengths lie with public affairs jobs, but those kinds of jobs are few and far between in Portland. I’ve seen and applied to many of those kind of positions in Seattle, where the economy is better, but Federal public affairs jobs with public lands and forests have all but dried up with the government cutbacks. And getting a foot in the door with Federal jobs is daunting these days as I suspect most agencies have internal candidates and a huge number of applicants with veteran status. Hindsight is 20/20, and looking back my timing may not have been the wisest to quit my cushy federal job and go follow my heart.

But I’ve looked at my experiences and thought about what skills are applicable to marketing and have rearranged my resumes and applications to adapt to this region and what jobs I apply to. I can no longer afford to be so picky. I’m also exploring contract-to-hire and headhunter options as well.

It’s funny how fast time flies when your savings are trickling away. The past nine months have gone by like lightning. Granted, my current debt is miniscule compared to recent college graduates, but I sure do like having little to no debt and want to keep it that way.

There is some good news lately. My oldest brother lives up the Columbia Gorge near Hood River. After nine months he suddenly comes up with an idea to contact a company there that does PR for Portland firms. He knows the CEO and even washed up on his shore after a kiteboarder rescue, and told me to mention that in an introductory email. So I did that and dropped my new skillset buzzwords and will have a meeting with them on Tuesday. It sounds more like an informational interview so who knows how it might go. But it’s something and the company does interesting work. This is the view of that area from the Washington state side of the Columbia River, so it would be a very scenic place to live and work:

So keep yer fingers crossed. Otherwise keep your eyes and ears open for jobs in public affairs where you know a person there who can put my resume on someone’s desk, ya hear? Thanks.

Here’s a recent video about my former rugby team in DC:

I miss the Cardozo practice field!

I just applied for a scholarship to the Netroots Nation progressive blogger gathering in San Jose, California. There is an LGBT portion of the summit frequented by the likes of Joe.My.God, and I’ve always wanted to go. And I umm…have a lot of free time lately so it would be a good use of my time, and keep me up on my blogging and social media skillz. And for the record, in addition to Crazy Cat Lady posts I do have a political section on this here blog. And how many of you readers were inspired to check out LGBT inclusive sports after reading about my gay rugby adventures? This is stuff I want to continue to do – often for you – and will also help me in whatever career I end up with if I ever get a job again.

So here’s an opportunity for you to help out. Vote for me here. I’m one of 110 or so other applicants for a scholarship that will cover registration costs and lodging. I can foot the airfare. While I doubt I’ll get 900+ votes to get into the top 5 before the May 7 deadline, it would be nice to see my ballot get bumped up from the bottom of the pack.

Otherwise, 30 of the applicants will get chosen for a scholarship after the voting contest. I think I wrote a good application so we’ll see what happens. Although if you all spent your slow Friday and Monday at work voting for me and I got over 900 votes, my head (and heart) will explode.

Thanks!

I used to pick on Homer and TJ for being Crazy Cat Ladies. One year I even sent Homer a Crazy Cat Lady action figure. But now the tables have turned and I am a Crazy Cat Lady. I’m going to blog about cats now.

The owners of the house I’m staying at are in France for a couple of weeks, so I’m taking care of them while their people are gone. They got the cats when we had critters in the attic in December. I think the varmints were squirrels who had moved in for the winter. The roommates wanted cats anyway but the presence of critters in the house expedited the acquisition. So they got three rescue cats from the shelter. The attic critters have since departed.

Mssr. Theodore Shithead was very young when he arrived. He’s very cute but still behaves like a kitten much of the time and is an overall pain in the ass. He gets into everything and knocks shit over all the time. You can’t see it easily in the photo but he has a white kitty mustache, which is why I call him Monsieur Theodore.

Miss Pepper Crazytail is our personal bathroom attendant. If you plan on taking a dump Pepper will be there to assist, so it’s important to keep the bathroom closed if you plan on doing anything private in there. She’s the most affectionate though and wants to be petted all the time. She is very sweet and sticks up her big fluffy tail when she’s happy, thus the name Crazytail.

Miss Isabella (Izzy) Scaredkitty has come a long way. We think she was abused in her previous home as she was scared of everything when she arrived. She particularly didn’t like me, we think because I have a beard. We’ve theorized the previous owner had a beard too. But she’s come around and likes to be petted a lot and doesn’t give me that freaked out feral look anymore. She was called Izzy as the previous owners thought she was male, but she’s female.

Being a Crazy Cat Lady is sad but it’s certainly better than being an unhygenic dog person.