Independence Day is actually celebrated on the 3rd in my town. Kind of odd, but nice. There's a fireworks display tonight downtown on the waterfront. It's usually huge and really crowded. Downtown is normally crowded this time of year anyways. We get quite a lot of tourists, mainly because it's a Norwegian-themed town. There are other Scandinavian countries represented, but the main one is Norway. I think it was founded by Norwegian immigrants. It can be beautiful this time of year, too. Anyways, sometimes I can see them from home. I might walk out a bit towards the high school in an area that overlooks a field and the stadium. Went to that area when we viewed the moon recently. Might be able to see more. It's a bit too loud for me to be downtown watching it.
Also, practically the only way to see it is to walk down there. (Good luck finding any parking near it for this...) It seems a bit far for me. Especially tough coming back home going up that very steep hill, and at night. Seems safer to be closer to home that way, too.
My beagle calendar has one laying down on a pier with a body of water in the background. Has their head cocked to the side, as if to be questioning something. This one also reminds me of Buster. They talk about beagles in the media in the info blurb this time. Snoopy, from Peanuts, is the unofficial most famous beagle in the world. I kind of believe he is. Should be official.
My Jewish calendar features a plaque, made by the Bezalel Workshop, out of brass, Jerusalem, Israel; 1910-14. Looks like a plate rather than a 'plaque'. Interesting design. The 2nd pic features a Torah shield, made by J.M. van Kempen, out of silver, Voorschoten, Netherlands; 1918. Pretty plain looking, but interesting to see such an old one. (Although, they've featured much older ones.) The last pic features Torah finials, made by Hedde Buys, out of silver, Netherlands; 1866. Interesting they don't know where exactly in Netherlands it comes from. Finials go over the top of the scroll on the staves that keep it together. They're ornaments that can take many different shapes. Some of the old ones were shaped as stylized pieces of fruit. Like as apples or pomegranates. They tend to have bells, too. This one seems intricate and delicate. The pieces of silver look so thin. Cool looking pattern. I like to see the really old stuff, too.
The month-long holidays are: National Baked Beans Month, National Grilling Month, National Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Blueberries Month, National Honey Month, National Horseradish Month. Some are for important causes, some are to make you appreciate things you may take for granted, and some are just for fun.
Seattle Pride was interesting. It was a hot day, and there were a lot of people. When we first got to the area we were told to meet up at, our group wasn't there. Eventually we caught up with a couple of the people who were in it, and they said they were starting quite a ways up a hill from where we were. We then bumped into a couple more people who were going to be in our group, too. We decided to go somewhere to eat before meeting up with the group. I had gotten something from the ferry, and hadn't eaten it yet. But, I went along with everyone to a cafe that was connected to a fancy looking hotel. After we talked a bit, and the people we met up with ate, Dad and I decided to watch the parade.
We decided we'd just wait for our group to make its way to where we were. Had the chicken Caesar wrap that I got from the ferry then, since there was a place to sit. It was pretty good.
The parade was being broadcasted live, so we actually could watch it on our iPhones. Kind of funny to be there, and watch the beginning that way.
I took a ton of pics when the parade started to finally move. Very interesting floats, people, and groups. A bit more commercialized than I'd like, and probably some people that were watching felt similar. They kept giving out things, and a lot of the groups seemed to have nothing to do with Pride or the theme. They didn't even have Pride related swag. Not even rainbow colored stuff. There weren't very many like this, but the ones that were kind of felt out of place.
I was surprised by how much nudity there was. I'm ok with it, just seemed, at the very least, uncomfortable for some. The nude bicyclists looked especially painful to see.
They had interesting body paint, at least. When our group made it to where we were, we joined them. They did kind of a joint thing with a local community college. A couple of the people from the group were also apart of the college's group, so it worked out well that way. I think in total there were 7 members that were there. 5 of us holding up the banner and behind/next to it, and 2 with the college. Kind of a small turnout, but not bad. I started off holding one of the corners of the banner. The group tended to want it too far to one side, and I couldn't stand that. So, I asked Dad to do it. I just waved, smiled, and danced a bit. Hugs and high fives are a bit much for me with that many people. Some of the members were doing those. Plus, I'm a little anxious in those situations that I'll have a higher chance of getting sick from it.
I am taking an immunosuppressant. I think I did come down with a slight cold afterwards. I was a little tired by the end of the parade, but I wanted to look at the booths a bit. Had to drink one of the cans of soda before I did so, because I was thirsty. Thought it would help with electrolytes as well. Tasted like pixie sticks.
We only went to one booth. It was a flag one. I saw they had two different sizes for the flag that most likely represents me now. They didn't have an online shop, and texted me their phone number and address. If I really want that sort of flag, I might look online instead, but it was nice of them anyways. After that, we went on the monorail, and to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was really good. I recently came out on facebook as asexual, or also referred to as ace. That was the one I wasn't sure if I'd say on here from last time. I had a really positive response.
Lots of 'love' and 'like' reactions. Quite a lot of nice comments. I did notice that some people probably just ignored it, which is fine. Interesting at the same time, though. Makes me wonder what they thought. If they were negative about it, then it's good they didn't 'react' or 'comment'. But, I think many people don't know what that means. If that's the case, that's fine, too. I might post ace-related things on facebook in the future. Already following a few pages related to it on fb now.Asexuals simply do not experience sexual attraction to anyone. This realization can take a while, considering the person themselves wouldn't know what they're 'lacking' at first. I liked the analogy, I read recently, about not having a sense of smell. Someone who could smell kept spraying perfume in the one who couldn't smell's face. Thinking it would 'change' them. Obviously, it didn't, but got really annoying for the one without that sense of smell. The one who could smell said that one day you'll be able to smell this beautiful smell. Another one equated sex to a donut. The asexual wouldn't think about it or ask for it, until it's put in front of them. They may or may not take it. It doesn't look that great. They may like it if they try it, but it'll just be like every other dessert. Doesn't change the fact that they won't crave/desire it. They could live without the donut for the rest of their lives. There are some sex-repulsed aces, and there are sex-positive. I might be sex-positive for everyone else, but slightly repulsed when it comes to myself. Somewhat of a mix with myself, I guess. It's also a bit difficult when society seems to be hypersexualized for someone who's ace. (It's in movies, books, other media, you're strongly encouraged to do it at some point, etc.) Kind of alienating.
Many aces go by their romantic orientation when it comes to dating. Everyone, not just aces, has some form of this, too. Many might be mismatched and not know it. I'm still unsure exactly what my romantic orientation is. I think I'm hetero-romantic (also written as one word, or het-rom). I have a strong attraction towards men, but I tend to not think too much about dating or care that often. I did really like the romantic side when I had a boyfriend in the past, but I don't feel the need to seek it when I'm not in a relationship. So, I might be a bit demi-hetero-romantic. Demi meaning being only into the romantic stuff if you have a very strong bond with that person first. There's a 'sexual' version for aces that won't be sexual until an extremely close bond is formed, called demisexual. So, I don't know. It's interesting, though. Get to know more about myself this way, too. I definitely don't think I'm aromantic. This is when you don't experience romantic attraction to anyone. I think if I was, it'd be even harder for me. There are other types of attraction, which is very interesting. I wouldn't go into that much for labeling myself, but maybe it's helpful for some.
Apparently a lot of people can relate to me on AVEN's forums. (AVEN: the Asexual Visibility and Education Network.) That makes me feel a bit better.
I was in denial for years, but I'm starting to accept it. Feeling a bit happier because of it. I also started reading a book introducing asexuality. (It's actually free and online! Yay!
) I can relate to a lot of it so far. This will be discussed during a book club called Rainbow Reads at the end of the month at a local library. It's basically a book club centered on LGBT books. I'm thinking of going. There might be other aces there. Although, it'd be interesting if I'm the only one. I might become the token ace...That's scary.
I'll be marching with the local Pride group in a 4th of July parade. Last year they had a ton of different flags people could choose to wave as they marched. Maybe they'll have the ace flag. That'd be awesome!
I don't remember if they did last year. I know there was a bi flag. They tend to get marginalized in the greater LGBT community as well. Even though the 'B' is for Bisexual. Although, our 'A' is even more so. The ace flag is black- for asexual, grey- for grey or demi, white- for sexual, and purple- for community. An interesting mix. I like that it includes everyone, and brings them together as a 'community'. If they do have it, I might take a pic of it and post it to facebook. I might go to the local Pride Fest on the 16th, too. It will be at a park. There will be music, drag, food vendors, and booths. I've gone to it once before. It's nice. I wonder if there will be an ace info booth or something. (Now that I'm more aware of it.) I know there's a Seattle group, but it'd be interesting if someone was there for it. Also, would be cool to meet other aces. If they're not there, it can still be fun and interesting to go to. I really like the idea of Pride as a whole, anyways. I came close to crying when I was watching the parade in Seattle. I don't really know why, but it was amazing to see so many people just being able to feel free to be themselves.
Maybe they were happy tears? Finished watching Ansatsu Kyoushitsu or Assassination Classroom's second (and last, apparently) season. It was a really emotional end. Actually teared up a bit. I think if people had seen the second to last episode, and didn't feel anything, than something's wrong. The last episode was about what happens to them after the class graduated junior high. Was interesting to see their 'future selves'. I really had hoped it hadn't ended the way it did, but I think they were hinting at it not ending well. I won't spoil the ending too much more than that. It was a good series, though. I might watch the live-action movies in the future, too. Although, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around seeing a live-action version. There seemed to be things they could only do in the anime/manga. I also saw a promo pic, and they seemed to have cut Nagisa's hair and changed the color. They changed the hair color of many of the others, as well. Nagisa's hair was a semi-important part. The reason why it was long, and why he would tie it up, kind of affected his personality and background story. Oh well, maybe it'll still be interesting.
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