Believe.

By nerds.

Adorabale, shaggy-haired, mostly-unshaven nerds.

I love them. They’re all so cute. I’m at the Wizard’s Wall in Melbourne.

Apparently, every Friday night, they come together to play a popular card game called Magic: The Gathering. Have you ever been in the home where another language is predominately spoken? I’m surrounded by 30 or so non-english speakers.

I say this, not because they don’t speak English. I say this because– I just can’t comprehend the way they use it. They’re “tapping” cards to cast “spells” and from time to time, someone screams because they’re happy with the card they drew. Each card does different things, and if you play your cards right, you can walk out of there with bragging rights and some new cards. We’re nearing the third hour of “Friday Night Magic,” and Chris seems to be doing well.

I think. . .

I mean . . other people have left . . There are only about 16 or so playing, now. Either the other people lost and went home . . OR . . you can get up and leave any time, and Chris is just having fun playing. . . so he’s sticking around?

Jose is here. As is his gay brother whose name escapes me. Also Rob, a guy who shared a meal with us at Denny’s the LAST time I was here. I think his girlfriend is named Katrina.

There’s a great little Chinese place a few doors down, and I had a craving. . Yum. I had sweet & sour pork, beef, chicken, and shrimp. It was awesome. You know how a lot of places make you dig through an inch of breading to find ONE miniscule piece of meat? Not this place. The prices were reasonable, the people were nice, and the food was great.

I also . . . impressed them. I brought my own stainless steel chopsticks for dinner, and randomly– one of the owners needed a pair of scissors. Of all the random and odd things for me to be carrying? Yep.

They were in my zippered notepad. I explained this away with . . “I’m a magician.”

POP! Out popped three kids, Grandma, Mom, and Dad. Chris and I BOTH did magic tonight. I spent about 30 minutes doing all I could with a fifty cent piece, sponge balls, napkins, and comedy.

It was a great time- and I’m happy I was able to entertain. I love AND despise doing magic for children.

They’ll always believe what you say, but they believe you so much- they begin expecting the impossible. “Can you make me fly?” “Can you make me disappear?” etc etc . . It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve made up a few witty comebacks that explain why I can’t saw them in half. . . . Of course I can’t saw you in half, you didn’t bring your saw tonight, and mine’s too big to lug around in the car.

So, it looks like things may be wrapping up here soon, and I think Jose, his brother, Chris, and I will be hanging out– Most likely at Applebees or Dennys.

I know I haven’t updated as often lately, and I DO have big big big HUGE news.

But . .I’m surrounded by adorable distractions tonight talking about Geomancers. So, I’ll write my news very soon . . just not tonight.

<3 Josh

On August 28, Tucker Carlson appeared on MSNBC Live with Dan Abrams. There was a lively exchange of opinions regarding Senator Larry Craig’s (R-ID) arrest for “lewd conduct” and eventual guilty plea. In the middle of the discussion, Carlson dropped this little nugget of info . .

CARLSON: Let me — let me put it this way. Whether he’s gay or not actually is not our business, and I do think it’s indefensible that the newspaper in Idaho spent a year interviewing 300 people to answer the question, Is he gay? That’s none of your business. Having sex in a public men’s room is outrageous. It’s also really common. I’ve been bothered in men’s rooms.

He goes on to say:

CARLSON: — people should knock that off. I’m not anti-gay in the slightest, but that’s really common, and the gay rights groups ought to disavow that kind of crap because, you know, that actually does bother people who didn’t ask for being bothered. So yeah, I think it’s outrageous that he did that. And also, this specter of him getting up there and blaming other people is so Clintonian. You know, if he just said, “I’m not going to talk about it,” that’d be one thing.

. . . .

ABRAMS: Tucker, what did you do, by the way? What did you do when he did that? We got to know.

CARLSON: I went back with someone I knew and grabbed the guy by the — you know, and grabbed him, and — and –

ABRAMS: And did what?

CARLSON: Hit him against the stall with his head, actually!

[laughter]

CARLSON: And then the cops came and arrested him. But let me say that I’m the least anti-gay right-winger you’ll ever meet –

[laughter]

CARLSON: — but I do think doing this in men’s rooms appears to be common. It’s totally wrong, and they should knock it off. I mean that. I think it’s — I can’t bring my son to the men’s room at the park where he plays soccer because of all these creepy guys hanging around in there. I actually think it’s a problem. I’m sorry.

—

It’s common, Tucker? Really? Is it common to assault women who flirt with you, too? I’m not anti-straight in the least . . therefore, I will not attack a woman who flirted with me. Yes, it bothers me when they do. I mean, can’t they see my well-moisturized face, manicured nails, stylish shirts and get a clue? Their advances aren’t welcome, but I’m not going to assault them for “bothering” me.

I’m compelled to cry “foul”. Imus gets thrown off the air (I’m not opposed to that decision), but Tucker Carlson isn’t even admonished for admitting he assaulted a guy for “bothering” him? What is bothering, anyway? In the very least, Carlson should clarify his comments.

Carlson’s statements clearly showed he wasn’t in physical danger. He left and came back with a friend to attack the man. It’s ridiculous that the “not anti-gay” Carlson laughed while recalling the event.

Further, public sex isn’t rampant. I’ve asked around and haven’t found one guy, gay or straight, who has been “bothered” in a restroom. Granted, Washington D.C. seems like a crazier place than central Florida, but if the park he takes his son is full of creepy men- maybe he should call the police.

And . . Maybe . . assault . . is NEVER an appropriate action to take when the only injury you’ve suffered is a bruised ego.

I’m satisfied with my accomplishments today. My health is improving.

I was up and emailing clients by Ten. Woo! Dad made breakfast, too. That was great.

He and I went to the auto parts store and purchased a tire patch kit, and various other gadgets we’d need to plug my tire. . . Spent a couple hours with him total- doing odds and ends with the car . .and I also bought him some Hazelnut Iced coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Spent the rest of the day between the car, good conversations, and a few IM sessions with friends. Chris <3 and I had a really great text message exchange today, too. I’ll be seeing him SOOOON!!!!! (Less than 48 hours!)

Just a quick note re: my car. I purchased it from my sister in August of 2006– a little over a year ago. While cleaning it out today, I removed her stuff. What does this mean? For the first time in one year– I have the energy to be mostly “normal”. I cleaned out my car. . . and I’m not in the hospital with excruciating pain tonight. This is definitely a victory. I had the energy! I am so happy.

I didn’t go on my walk tonight– as I really busted ass with my car and spent most of the day on my feet. I’m content with today. Tonight, I’ll snuggle into my plaid wonderland with a smile on my face and a tiny whisper . . . “Well done.”

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