Letter From a Hopeful Place: Bullying

I'm sure all of you know about the anti-bullying campaigns that have been going on across all media outlets for gay people. I have recently been a victim of the opposite kind of bullying - gay insults to straight people. It's absurd, I know, but it inspired me to write this letter that I sent to Ellen Degeneres and Dan Savage. I hope somehow it helps stop the hate.

Dear Dan/Ellen,

I am a single, straight, 30 year-old-woman who lives in Washington, DC. As a straight woman, I do not endure the same hatred that many of my gay friends have to survive day-to-day, however, it has come to my attention recently that I am a victim of another kind of bullying that is well, frankly, absurd.

Last February, I decided to cut my hair really short. Here it is December, and I still have short hair, and I love it, but since I cut my hair, I have determined that no matter how pretty my face is, no matter what clothes I wear, no matter how hard I flirt with boys - if I have short hair, I am automatically categorized as a Lesbian. While this is not in itself an issue (other than it makes what is already a difficult task in DC even more so – finding a decent man), the issue is that I am called a Lesbian by men in a way that is supposed to be an insult.

Perhaps it is a self-defense thing, in that men think if they reject me under the pre- judgment that because I have short hair, that I must be gay, then they in turn will not have to handle the rejection I may send their way if they try to pick me up. Or perhaps, and more horrifying, it is simply satisfying to some men to insult a woman by putting down her sexual orientation. Because I am not gay, I find that I must “defend myself” by proclaiming outright that I am straight. Because it feels like I am under some kind of attack, and must contend my sexuality, in turn, I am afraid that these reactions continue the cycle of hatred that makes bullying a reality.    

How can we overcome this kind of bigotry? How can we make it apparent that attempting to insult a woman by calling her a lesbian is not, in fact, insulting? It seems to me the same thing when boys say something like “that’s gay” in a way to downplay someone’s actions and insult them. People are so afraid of so many things already in this world, I hope that one day someone’s sexual orientation is no longer something to fear or defend.

Thank you for continuing to fight bullying, no matter what kind it is.

Shelby

"An attitude of gratitude brings opportunities."

Dear Random Homeless Man I Passed on My Lunch Break,

While I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for the sentiment, I think I'm gonna go with a solid no on your offer to "eat my pussy".

You're not really my type.

That's not to say that I'm against a little scruff, or men who are a little off the cuff. It's just, well... yeah.

But, in an effort to better myself (and to follow the advice of the words of wisdom that come my way), I would like to take the opportunity to offer the universe my attitude of gratitude for this request in the hopes that a more appropriate candidate will come along.

Okay thanks,
Shelby

P.S. Oh, and next time, try not to yell it so loud into the street. We ladies do like a bold man, but we also like a little discretion if you please.

Missing the Mark

Dear ModCloth,

It's too bad this dress (or, excuse me, "Frock") is so hideous that no one will buy it, therefore your attempts at raising money for Ovarian Cancer Research will fail completely.

However, because I have ovaries, and am I'm not totally cold-hearted - if I see anyone wearing it, I will donate the cost of the dress to Ovarian Cancer Research. That's a whopping $110, people.

Love,

My Heart is Black Not Blue

Walking Words

Somewhere in the middle of a crowded room
we created a heavy loom.
I kissed you a whisper.
With it, you formed a secret and let it fester.

I walk home to wash the rain from my feet.
I loved you I think.
I stay up too late unable to sleep,
sit and wonder how I came to hear this
all alone
on repeat.

Confessions of an Audiowhore

Editor's Note: I wrote this to submit to Nerve.com for their "People I Never Intended to Sleep With" Contest. while my submission was late, I thought I'd post it here for your enjoyment. 

Admittedly, I am a music snob, so my internal Wild Flag should have started waving immediately.  We met at the bar the night of the Archers of Loaf show. Impressed by my beer-and-bourbon order, we talked about this and that, discovered we had an affinity for other single (barrel) music fans, and exchanged numbers. He had never heard of the Archers, but was in a good company of fans, so I let it slide.

After about 2 weeks of much idiotic texting (apparently no one calls anyone anymore), we decided to meet for a date – a drink and a show. The Love Language. I know, how romantic. During our pre-show beers, he made the following fatal mistake.

He asked me, “So, who’s your favorite band?” I hate this question. It’s the one you ask when you have nothing else to say. I struggled, producing bands I’ve been into for years, and threw in a few I thought he might know. As a Michigander, I expected him to be a fan of The White Stripes. “No, not really,” he grimaced. Instead, he revealed that he was in fact a fan of Kid Rock “not even ironically!” I cringed inside, especially when he said he couldn’t find anyone to go with him to the show in a few weeks, and put his hand on my knee smiling as if I would find this charming.   

  

I did not, but I was pretty horny. After a few beers, we headed to see the band. After a few more beers and a bourbon, I let him slide his hands around my waist. After another bourbon, I felt myself leaning against his Midwestern-Kid-Rock-loving chest. After another bourbon, I let him talk me into going home with him on the premise that he would “pay for a cab in the morning.”

That part I didn’t remember as well until the next morning when he handed me a $20. I chirped, “oh yeah, thanks” trying not to feel like a prostitute and continued to fumble around for my clothes. Well, before that exchange, we had some fairly unremarkable sex (in which when I suggested he “slow down a little,” he replied “I don’t have much time” having to be at work in 30 minutes). After he came (and I was nowhere near it) we took a shower and I prepped myself for the trip home in the harsh light of a sober Saturday morning. Made harsher still by the fact that my underwear was nowhere to be found and I was wearing jeans.  

He sent me a text a week later that said “guess what I found?!” looking to see if I’d come to collect. Since I’d kept the money and walked home, I figured he’d paid for my loss. Though I was tempted as I did really like that pair of underwear. Far more than the hairy, bad-in-bed man I left on the doorstep.

Hopefully he found solace in his favorite band, I always do.

From 0-30: Poetry Lesson

Sometimes the stupidest things make me think of you. I'm talking completely useless reminders that have only one apparent goal: to make me miss you. It happens enough that I decided to stop being so sad and annoyed by it and just be grateful that I loved someone so fucking much that even when he turned out to be a complete loser, I was strong enough to get over.    

This time, it was the Neo-Futurists on This American Life that sent me into the depths of your memories. Its a scene between a man and a women in which instead of words, they simply exchange meaning.

Him: Statement.
     Statement.
     Statment. {cough}
     Question?
Her: Agreement.
Him: Reassuring statement.
     Confident statement.
     Confident statement.
     Overconfident statement.
Her: Question?
Him: Elaborate defensive excuse.
     {audience laughter}
Her: Half-hearted agreement.
Him: Insecure statement.
     Distracted statement.
     Absurd statment.
Her: Clarification question?
Him: Panicked bullshit explanation.
     {audience laughter}
     Quick meaningless comic nonsequitur.
     Fake laughter.
     Fake laughter.

LESSON EIGHT: Lord T was right, 'tis better to have loved and lost than not loved at all. (Even if sometimes it makes you feel stupid for ever doing so at all).

From 0-30: These Boots Were Made for Walking

LESSON SEVEN: Listen to your friends, get a good pair of boots

I don't know much about heels, but I do know this: I can count at least five of my favorite women in the world who wear boots religiously. These women take the act of purchasing boots about as seriously as you take breaking in a new pair of Chucks. You don't buy boots unless you love 'em, and you don't throw away Allstars until they are literally broken. 

I woke up today, greeted by the first rains of Hurricane Irene and thought, what does one where out in a hurricane? The obvious answer is rain boots, but I thought it would add a little style to the whole affair by taking some advice and strapping on my Fryes before heading out on the town to battle constant downpour and 60 MPH winds. 

I have no doubt that I made the right choice, on the boots or the ladies... now if I could only meet a nice man named Chuck.