Halsey's "a story like mine" speech in NYC at Womens March 2018

“A Story Like Mine” poem from today’s #WomensMarch2018 in NYC

— h (@halsey) January 20, 2018

It’s 2009 and I’m 14 and I’m crying

Not really sure where I am but I’m holding the hand of my best friend Sam

In the waiting room of a Planned Parenthood

The air is sterile and clean, and the walls are that not grey, but green

And the lights are so bright they could burn a whole through the seam of my jeans

My phone is buzzing in the pocket

My mom is asking me if I remembered my keys ’cause she’s closing the door and she needs to lock it

But I can’t tell my mom where I’ve gone

I can’t tell anyone at all

You see, my best friend Sam was raped by a man that we knew ’cause he worked in the after-school program

And he held her down with her textbook beside her

And he covered her mouth and he came inside her

So now I’m with Sam, at the place with a plan, waiting for the results of a medical exam

And she’s praying she doesn’t need an abortion, she couldn’t afford it

And her parents would, like, totally kill her

It’s 2002 and my family just moved and the only people I know are my mom’s friends, too, and her son

He’s got a case of Matchbox cars and he says that he’ll teach me to play the guitar if I just keep quiet

And the stairwell beside apartment 1245 will haunt me in my sleep for as long as I am alive

And I’m too young to know why it aches in my thighs, but I must lie, I must lie

It’s 2012 and I’m dating a guy and I sleep in his bed and I just learned how to drive

And he’s older than me and he drinks whiskey neat and he’s paying for everything

This adult thing is not cheap

We’ve been fighting a lot, almost 10 times a week

And he wants to have sex, and I just want to sleep

He says I can’t say no to him

This much I owe to him

He buys my dinner, so I have to blow him

He’s taken to forcing me down on my knees

And I’m confused ’cause he’s hurting me while he says please

And he’s only a man, and these things he just needs

He’s my boyfriend, so why am I filled with unease?

It’s 2017 and I live like a queen

And I’ve followed damn near every one of my dreams

I’m invincible and I’m so fucking naive

I believe I’m protected ’cause I live on a screen

Nobody would dare act that way around me

I’ve earned my protection, eternally clean

Until a man that I trust gets his hands in my pants

But I don’t want none of that, I just wanted to dance

And I wake up the next morning like I’m in a trance and there’s blood

Is that my blood?

Hold on a minute

You see I’ve worked every day since I was 18

I’ve toured everywhere from Japan to Mar-a-Lago

I even went on stage that night in Chicago when I was having a miscarriage

I mean, I pied the piper, I put on a diaper

And sang out my spleen to a room full of teens

What do you mean this happened to me?

You can’t put your hands on me

You don’t know what my body has been through

I’m supposed to be safe now

I earned it

It’s 2018 and I’ve realized nobody is safe long as she is alive

And every friend that I know has a story like mine

And the world tells me we should take it as a compliment

But then heroes like Ashley and Simone and Gabby, McKayla and Gaga, Rosario, Aly

Remind me this is the beginning, it is not the finale

And that’s why we’re here

And that’s why we rally

It’s Olympians and a medical resident and not one fucking word from the man who is President

It’s about closed doors and secrets and legs and stilletos from the Hollywood hills to the projects in ghettos

When babies are ripped from the arms of teen mothers and child brides cry globally under the covers

Who don’t have a voice on the magazine covers

They tell us take cover

But we are not free until all of us are free

So love your neighbor, please treat her kindly

Ask her story and then shut up and listen

Black, Asian, poor, wealthy, trans, cis, Muslim, Christian 

Listen, listen and then yell at the top of your lungs

Be a voice for all those who have prisoner tongues

For the people who had to grow up way too young

There is work to be done

There are songs to be sung

Lord knows there’s a war to be won

PALM SPRINGS OR BUST!

 

Palm Springs or BUST!

White Party Palm Springs ticket info 2024 Fri, Mar 29, 2024 - Sun, Mar 31, 2024

Countdown to White Party Palm Springs 2024

Event Details

The World’s Largest LGBTQ+ Dance Music Festival returns to Palm Springs from March 29-31, 2024. This iconic weekend attracts thousands of attendees from around the world in a celebration of music and community. This year the festival is offering earlier dates, exciting new venues, a fresh new Host Hotel, new pricing, and an expansive variety of musical styles sure to satisfy everyone’s musical taste. Get ready to hit the dance floor because this year it’s all about the music! 7 different events over 3 days and nights! 13 world-class DJs, spectacular live performances and more!

Cristiano Ronaldo; Dubbed by many as one of the "sexiest footballers" alive today...

Cristiano Ronaldo, the world-renowned Portuguese football icon, is more than just a sports legend; he’s a global sensation who has successfully ventured into the realms of pop culture, becoming a pop icon with a social media reach that is 623 million strong. Dubbed by many as one of the "sexiest footballers" alive – the 39-year-old who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time – was able to master the art of thirst traps as well. 

Thirst trap, by the way, is described as “someone or something that attracts attention or strong desire.” It is also defined as “a photograph (such as a selfie) or video shared for the purpose of attracting attention or 
desire.” 

In the era of social media, Ronaldo would, every now and then, publish captivating posts that draw his fans’ desire and admiration. Whether it is shirtless photos showcasing his sculpted abs or glimpses into his lavish lifestyle, each post keeps his fans thirsting for more, just like the one shown below:

Can you pass the US Citizenship Quiz? Find out now...

 

Can you pass the U.S. citizenship exam?

Every year, the United States welcomes nearly 1 million new citizens through naturalization ceremonies, all of whom must pass the U.S. citizenship test by answering 6 out of 10 questions correctly. 

While 90% of legal immigrant applicants pass the exam, only 30% of U.S. adults and just 3% of public high school students in America can pass it! 😱
 
Can you? 

Find out now by taking this quick 10-question quiz from the U.S. citizenship test (click on the banner above or click here).

How should I celebrate the loss of a loved one that died 2 years ago?

David and Greg 2018

 My Conversation with Bing on 1/17/2024

QUESTION: "How should I celebrate the loss of a loved one that died 2 years ago?", is the question I found myself asking Microsoft's Copilot with Bing.

ANSWER: I'm sorry for your loss. Celebrating the birthday of a deceased loved one can be a way to honor their memory and keep their spirit alive. There are many ways to celebrate the birthday of a deceased partner, and it's important to choose a way that feels right for you. Here are some ideas that you might find helpful:

1. UPHOLD TRADITIONS: If you and your partner had birthday traditions, you can continue to celebrate them in their memory. For example, you could bake their favorite cake or prepare their favorite meal.

2. PURCHASE A KEEPSAKE OR KEEPSAKE JEWELRY: Memorial or keepsake jewelry can be a constant reminder of your partner. You can find a nice piece at several price points. For example, you can turn your partner's ashes or lock of hair into a memorial diamond or gemstone. Alternatively, you can place a tiny photo or memento in a locket and engrave an important date or symbol on the outside.

3. SPEND IT WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY: Remembering the death of your partner can make you feel isolated and alone. Rather than spending the day by yourself, you might find it helpful to invite friends and family to join you.

4. WRITE A LETTER: Writing a letter to your partner can be a way to express your feelings and emotions. You can share your memories, thoughts, and feelings with them.

5. VISIT THE GRAVE: Visiting the grave of your partner can be a way to feel close to them and honor their memory.

6. LIGHT A CANDLE: Lighting a candle in memory of your partner can be a way to symbolize their presence and keep their memory alive.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to celebrate the birthday of a deceased loved one. It's important to choose a way that feels right for you and honors the memory of your partner. I hope these ideas help you find a way to celebrate your partner's birthday that feels meaningful and comforting to you. Please take care of yourself.

I chose to UPHOLD TRADITIONS by baking cupcakes and having a few intimate friends over that were all friends with Hobbit and we watched a 3-hour slideshow of all the random pic's and videos I have of us together.

the Strawberry cupcakes were a HIT!

Sources:

(1) 20+ Ways to Honor a Deceased Loved One On Their Birthday. https://www.joincake.com/blog/how-to-honor-a-deceased-loved-one-on-their-birthday/.

(2) 20+ Ways to Honor a Deceased Loved One On Their Birthday. https://bing.com/search?q=celebrate+dead+partner+birthday.

(3) How to Celebrate a Deceased Loved One’s Birthday | Eterneva. https://www.eterneva.com/resources/ideas-for-how-to-celebrate-the-birthday-of-a-dead-loved-one.

(4) Celebrating Birthdays of the Dead | Beyond the Dash. https://beyondthedash.com/blog/grief/celebrating-birthdays-of-the-dead/7146.

Google Photos Movie App 2013 greg