On Illegal Aliens

Last I heard, people had donated around $500,000 toward getting rid of illegal aliens in Arizona.

As I understand, one of the biggest arguments is that illegal aliens are stealing jobs.

... so, instead of people rallying together to donate $500,000 TO CREATE MORE JOBS (my dance academy, for example, currently has 8 positions that are currently volunteer positions because many people where I live cannot afford higher tuition prices for extracurricular activities), people have donated half of one million dollars toward forcing people out of this country.

Is this really how the world works? Racism, hatred, vitriol, finger pointing, back-stabbing, the list goes on forever and ever.

Really?

Why must people think, "Gee, there's a lack of jobs... I know, let's kick out the illegals!"

Why can't people think, "Gee, there's a lack of jobs... what can I do to create more?"

Why do people give money when they hear, "FAMILIES ARE UNDER ATTACK!!!!"

Why won't people give when they hear, "Tooele is a talent-rich but a rather economic poor county. Gangs are increasing (just look around at all the recent tagging). Drug use is common. There aren't a lot of affordable after school programs where kids can go and learn things that the school system is not able to teach and provide. As a nonprofit dance academy, our goal is to serve as one such a program; however, in order to provide the necessary scholarships to run the program, offering our services to any child regardless of financial situation, we need your help."

I'm quite disenchanted with people right now.

They seem quite content "burning witches" and completely ignore how to really help society become a happier, more productive entity.

Gritz

I have decided that it's time to really take my diet seriously. And by 'diet' I don't mean, "I gotsta lose weight," but "I gotsta eat more and more healthy food." I think it will help me sleep and regulate my clinical depression better.

So, if anyone has any recipes they'd like to share with me, I would greatly appreciate it.

For reference:

• I don't like pig (except italian sausage)
• I don't cook with onions (blech)
• I don't eat squash (except raw cucumbers)
• I don't like bananas and find apples boring
• I love peppers
• I love kiwi, pineapple, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, and similar fruits
• I enjoy potatoes, carrots (raw or cooked), broccoli (steamed), green beans (steamed), spinach (raw)
• Panag curry is perhaps my favorite curry--I love curry
• Pasta is heaven
• Breads and cheeses are bliss
• Cooking with herbs and spices is love
• Grilling is preferred (as cleaning my stove-top is hell)
• Fresh is best; however, I don't buy into that organic pooplah

Please comment or email me with any recipes you think I might enjoy.

My gaunt cheeks are depending on you!

My First Kiss

... I guess all I can really say is, "I kissed a [boy], and I liked it."

Har-har.

Actually, to be honest, I was hoping that I would feel some guilt, some tinge that would tell me that everything my family believes about this 'issue' is true. It would have made everything so much easier. I would have been able to justify finding a girl and making it work with her -- thereby making my family the happiest.

But, nope. No guilt. There was no pinch of shame, whatsoever, no feeling like it need be kept secret/hidden.

... and you know what? Since our officialness, he was even included in my invitation to my nephew's wedding.

I think it's time I start giving my family more credit.

GMB & I

As I mentioned previously, A Gay Mormon Boy (aka GMB) and I are exclusively dating each other. Some have asked for details, but I think I'll leave the story telling to GMB's more capable talents.

Granted, this does mean a year's wait... but it'll be worth it, I'm sure.

Besides, I don't want to harp on the fact that I'm not available... I don't want to remind people of that heartache (I jest, I jest!).

In seriousness, though, I'm more keen on writing about personal progress, deep and/or shallow thoughts/philosophies, etc. as opposed to more specific details about my life. I try to keep such latter details as general as possible... mostly because my life is pretty dern boring. Heh.

That said, I do have some posts in mind that are related to my relationship with GMB. In fact, I think my next post will have to do with my first kiss...

Questions

My business partner took a loan out in her name (well, technically it was in the name of her business she had started to teach ballet before she partnered up with me) to help cover the costs of starting up our dance academy (which I believed I've mentioned in the past).

We've run into a little dilemma. Things with the Academy are going fantastic, no problems paying the loan or anything like that. It's just that her husband is feel a little frustrated because they don't qualify for a home because of their debt-to-income ratio (because of the aforementioned loan).

Anyway, I have two questions, seeing if anyone out there may be able to respond:

1. Would my friend be able to include the Academy's income as part of their household income? (The Academy is set up as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, and we presently aren't paying ourselves a salary so that the Academy can grow the most quickly.)

2. Is there anyone out there with (or who knows someone with) the appropriate resources willing to offer my Academy a private loan while we start looking for our sponsors? Banks are weird about loans to nonprofits (a for-profit corporation with the success we've been having would get a great loan while we qualify for nothing). Things are looking great for the Academy; we aren't having any problems paying the loan we have now, I'd just like to get it out of my friend's name so her family can buy a house.

We're still a few months away from seeking out sponsors and grants as I (the grant writer) am focusing on the IT stuff (i.e. website with online user accounts for the parents to pay and track their tuition and the students their choreography) right now.