I've made a decision!

I know, if you've been reading my blog for a little while, you're probably thinking, "again?"

But this feels like sort of a logical point of conclusion with all the different steps i've taken on this little thinktank path of mine. because while i've been thinking and thinking and thinking some more, the furthest i've gotten is downloading a few applications for different places. now they sit on my desktop and stare at me every time i turn on the computer.

I've decided i'm going to focus in, and apply for education programs through Americorps. I'm going to focus in the western United States, in states where i can also take the opportunity to do more hiking, hopefully learn about backpacking.

I came to this particular point today because i realised while i was looking at teach abroad programs a couple weeks ago that i really don't have any teaching experience. I'm not sure i'll even like teaching enough to do it for an entire year, let alone in a country where i don't speak the language and know no one? (also, i'm feeling cowardly)
Today i was looking at teaching programs that are short term or don't require a certification, and while none of the programs through Americorps are working as a teacher in a classroom, they are working in the schools with kids, the kids who need more help and attention.

I promised myself i'd have in at least one application to one program by the end of January. It's almost here, i needed to make this focusing decision so that i can get a move on. Here we go.

victims of ignorance

i had in my head this afternoon the idea for a happy post. but after i got home and walked the dogs and all that, i'd forgotten half of it. and now, 6 hours later, i've forgotten the rest.

so unfortunately, this is an unhappy/angry post.
I have this idea that people who are in populations that are often marginalised as a result are more open people. Specifically, i have this idea that the queer community is more open because of the fact that many in that community have been at one time or another victims of ignorance.

But i'm obviously wrong. http://www.365gay.com/news/transwoman-ordered-to-serve-time-in-male-prison/
I was reading this article, reading a bunch of articles on this site actually. Then I made the mistake of reading the comments. The whole situation is disgusting. Then over on the sister site to this one, afterellen, they have forums on many things, including bisexuality... where dozens of people spout of reasons why they hate/will never date a bisexual woman.
In the article i linked to, people are calling the woman in question he/she and once even IT! They're saying she deserves to be raped and killed. And while I am horrified by the crime she committed and the short sentence she received, I'm even more horrified that there are people out there who would ever wish assault or rape on anyone. The very idea of wishing that kind of thing on any kind of person just scares me.


I read an article in BITCH magazine a while back that said we, collectively, as intelligent people, need to stop commenting online. Just stop. And i don't completely agree, but when i read stuff like this, i think, where are all these people coming from, and how and why is there so much ignorance?