Just call me Forgetful Jones

I've always been forgetful and sporatically absent-minded. Everything from putting the cereal box in the fridge and milk carton in the cupboard (doh!) to grabbing a stack of outgoing mail to drop in the box on my way out, getting in the car, and then realizing that the mail is still in my hand.

My morning routines have generally worked well enough, but after moving out here and enduring multiple instances of forgetting (or almost forgetting) things, i came up with a mantra to use every morning before leaving for work: "Wallet, Phone, Badge, Keys, Data.". ("Keys" refer to the spare house and car key i wear on a belt loop, just in case. "Data" is the flash drive i carry, containing music, working drafts, notes, etc.) Before heading out the door, i mentally say the words and verify that all five items are on me; many times i've found one missing - good thing i checked.

[Sidebar: Is "mantra" the right word? Maybe i mean to say mnemonic device. But isn't that where you take the first letter of each word to form another word? Like HOMES for the five Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior). Or the other way around, like Foxy Chicks Get Down After Every Beer for the order of sharps in a key signature (FCGDEAB). Oh, and before you say anything, that line was suggested by my high school band director - some things you can't unlearn. Anyway.]

Here's what happened this morning: I was in a rush to get out the door (flex hours => Neilam oversleeps every day). I'm heading up to the city after work for a concert (In Flames and All That Remains - both tier1 bands, i'm so excited!!), so i had a few extra items to remember (ticket, earplugs, camera, etc) plus a few quick errands (check tire pressure, hit ATM). In my rush to get going, i failed to use my mantra; i just grabbed everything and took off.

Somewhere between the gas station and bank i realized that i was missing my spare keys (i'd left them on the pants i wore yesterday). Not mission-critical, but i'd feel better if i had them - especially since i'll be up in the city tonight. Fortunately i was still close to home, so going back would only take an extra 5 minutes. Parked on the street, ran up the stairs to my third-floor apartment, pulled the keys from yesterday's pants, cliped them on, ran back out. Done and done.

I was on the freeway, halfway to work when i was hit with the uneasy feeling that i was still missing something. But this happens a lot, and i frequently re-mantra and pat pockets from the drivers seat just to make sure. And so i ran through as usual. Wallet - check. Phone - check. Badge...badge...oh bloody hell. Can you guess where my badge was? That's right, safely clipped onto YESTERDAY'S GODDAMN PANTS! ARGHHH!!!

I had about 30 seconds until the next exit during which time i debated whether or not to turn back. Again. I decided that the lost time sucks, but i didn't want to deal with the hassle of not being able to scan myself into buildings and feeling awkward all day. And you never know when you'll need your RSA key - which is why i keep mine clipped to my badge, so i'll always have it :-/

Sigh. Drove all the way back, parked in the same spot on the street, ran up the stairs, stormed through the door again, grabbed the infernal badge, ran back.

I made it to work just barely on time for our daily standup meeting.

Moral of the story: Never skip the mantra, or it might skip you. Or something.

Rally in San Jose

I marched in my first protest yesterday - i was in the San Jose arm of the amazing nationwide rally coordinated by Join The Impact. Here in San Jose we had 4 groups march from different meetup spots and converge upon our city hall from 4 different directions. Once we all poured into the courtyard we had some speakers, including city council members, a religious leader, and our vice mayor. Then we lined the streets, waving signs, chanting, and cheering as all of the cars drove by honking their horns in support. (I have to admit, after i left i took the long way home just so i could drive past & honk my horn :-) ).






It really was moving; seeing so many people come together in support. High energy; high emotion. And some amazingly creative signs; here are a few of my favorites:




Even more moving are the countless photo galleries and stories pouring in from all of the other protest locations across the country. Images from Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, and so many other cities where people just flooded the streets - overwhelming. Also inspiring are spots like my old home in Champaign-Urbana where tight groups held strong. Props to the crew back home for pulling this off! Check out their facebook event for some awesome photos; i especially like the sign which reads "Discrimination is *so* 1950s".

I've felt strongly about this issue for a long time, so i'm glad i can finally help do something about it. And this is only the beginning.

<soapbox>
Yes, it blows that Prop 8 passed. But maybe that was a much-needed wakeup call. I think too many people just sat back and assumed that it would fail. Until about a month before the election, i was one of those people. Then i saw the polls and freaked out; "What do you mean we're losing? This is CALIFORNIA! Who the fuck is actually supporting discrimination?" I know i'm not the only one who reacted to that - i started to get involved, and was encouraged by the support of so many individuals, community groups, politicians, and even a group of silicon valley business leaders (including open support from execs from Yahoo!, Google, Apple, and many others - check it out here).

But it wasn't enough, and maybe we were too late. Prop 8 passed, along with similar ballot measures in 3 other states, making a grand total of 37 with same-sex marriage bans written into their constitutions. This is not acceptable. But on the flipside, 2 states - Massachusetts and now Connecticut - carry equal marriage rights. This is a start.
</soapbox>

Don't worry, this isn't going to turn into a political blog. I'm sure i'll be writing a little about future events i get involved with, but the random silly stories and concert writeups will continue on as well (although i'm behind - Bloodwire & Claire Voyant were amazing last week, and i haven't even looked at my photos from Dragonforce yet).

This weekend in C-U, SJ, and a town near you

Hi everyone! For those who haven't already heard, there will be an awesome nationwide demonstration for equality this Saturday, November 15th. This is not just about Prop 8 in California; this is about joining together as a nation to voice that we will no longer sit back and tolerate discrimination.

If you live in Champaign-Urbana:

Virginia is involved with planning this one! Please join if you're interested & available.

Some info from Virginia:
Meet by the Alma Mater (Green and Wright) at 11:30am
We'll have posters, but feel free to bring your own as well.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35885873716


If you live in the San Francisco bay area:

I plan to attend in San Jose (10:30am in front of City Hall, downtown SJ); let me know if you'd like to come with.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35885873716

Or there is, of course, the one in San Francisco which i'm sure will be friggin huge ( http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35885873716 ).

If you live elsewhere:

There are locations planned for every state, thus likely one in or near your area. Locations & details are listed out here:

http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/


Together, we can make a difference.

-Neilam

p.s. If you haven't seen Keith Olbermann's video already, it is very much worth watching:

YES WE CAN!!!

Wow. Just, wow. My head is a jumble of thoughts right now; i'm so excited and pleased. I've voted in three presidential elections (in 3 different states, actually - MI, IL, and now CA), but this is the first time i was able to cast a vote for a candidate whom i actually *wanted* to send to the White House. After so many years of anger, frustration, and disappointment, i don't even have the words for how wonderful it feels to watch President Elect Barack Obama speak from downtown Chicago. Some of my friends are actually *in* Grant Park right now - i'm so jealous of you guys!

It keeps hitting me. I can start watching press conferences again! The State of the Union Address! Forget about his skin tone - he's young and optimistic, and i think we really need that right now. He's delivering a message of hope, and i *believe* him.

I finally have a leader whom i can proudly call *my* president.