Worus

The last two weeks have not been the greatest. I’ve been sick for about an entire week of the last two. This really, really sucked. As a result, I didn’t really feel like doing much of anything. When I have done things, it’s been because I needed to, not because I wanted to.

I have gotten a decent dent in the Christmas shopping done. Today I figured out what to get for Dean and my sister. I was going to get my sister’s today, but I wasn’t going to wait in the huge line at Best Buy, which went from the front nearly to the back of the store. The item is readily available and I may even be able to get it at Wal-Mart tomorrow. While I know what I’m getting Dean, I have a few options that I want to contemplate before actually making a purchase.

I have not got my parents’ gift yet. I need to find a time during the middle of the day to get to the Civic Center to get their gift. I’m super-excited to get their gift, but it’s going to be a trick getting down there when the box office is open.

I still need to get Beth’s gift. I’ve known what I want to get her for quite a while now, but I’m afraid that it won’t be here when she’s home. I guess if it’s not I could always mail it. All of that ClipperShip expertise at work could get me the best shipping price between post office, UPS, and FedEx. I’ve heard that if we reimburse accounting we can use our company’s shipping system for personal shipments. If not, the post office and UPS Store aren’t exactly far away from home.

I got the most awesome book on Design Patterns at the bookstore this week. It’s called Head First Design Patterns. The book is absolutely hilarious and presents the patterns in an entertaining way. Then again, how could I not like a book that has a section with a girl meditating by a laptop titled, “Be the JVM!” I mean, really.

I ran across this letter that I wrote explaining Youth Alliance’s non-action at a Fred Phelps event back in 2003. The feeling was that by creating a larger scene more negative attention would be drawn to the youth than was already being drawn. While this letter never got sent, it seems like something that I’d want to save.

Dear Julius,

Youth Alliance is a non-profit Des Moines-based organization that provides support to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, and allied youth through education and advocacy while empowering Central Iowans to create safer spaces and end discrimination in our schools and communities.

The board of Youth Alliance would like to congratulate you for receiving the Matthew Shepherd Scholarship. It is wonderful to see that youth today wish to continue their education. Ultimately, your education will allow you to lead a successful life and have a bright future. Through knowledge comes power.

However, some individuals in this world would threaten the pursuit of education; specifically an education provided through the Matthew Shepherd Scholarship. Groups such as those led by Mr. Fred Phelps will try to challenge you at your graduation. However, remember that he is not only challenging you, but instead he is trying to stop future applicants from receiving this very prestigious award.

You may wonder, then, why if a group like Youth Alliance exists, are we not protesting Mr. Phelp’s demonstration? Many members of the board are torn between demonstrating or denying Mr. Phelps the attention he requests. The decision was made not to give him such attention for two reasons: We believe that you will have support from your allies on this day and that giving more attention to this event will only perpetuate such hate mongering. If there is no memory of hate it will eventually cease to exist.

We want you to know that we are proud of your accomplishments. We want you to know that we wish you the best in your future endeavors and your best at school next fall. We want you to know that, while the world has hate in it, that times are changing because people like you have the courage to stand up for themselves and those like them. There are so many things that we want you to know, but they are best said in one sentence: We support you.

When you walk across the stage to receive your diploma, do so with tears of pride and not with tears of shame. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You made it, and we are proud of you!

Thank you for making a difference and good luck in the future!