Like Dave Mathews’ skat, I don’t know what to say (was just listening to him @bonnaroo).

Just kicked myself that I have not taken advantage of writing while here in DC or even anything over the past year but that’s going to change soon! (Although, I think I have written that I few times since posting regularly but promise this time.)

I am a proud fellow of the Louisiana New Leaders Council and hope you can join us in Baton Rouge for our fundraiser or consider a donation to help our organization grow.

Support Progressives, Keep Democracy Great

Teddy Roosevelt said that “a great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy.”  What does it mean to be progressive though?  The word has oft been used by politicians to frame a certain political party or social group . . .  but such attempts are really misnomers.  What’s the real truth about progressives? A progressive is someone who shares the same belief of Teddy Roosevelt; someone who loves our democracy so much that they understand that we, as a country, must constantly move forward as well as change and grow for the positive in order to keep democracy alive.

How do we ignite progressive cities, progressive states, a progressive America? It’s a difficult question, and at times, public perception indicates that America is failing to retain its progressive foundation.  This is certainly true for Louisiana, as well. To combat this, a grassroots movement was created, the New Leaders Council.  Its mission: the find the torchbearers of democracy and to provide them the tools to spread a wildfire of progressivism across our cities, our states, and our country.

In 2009, this grassroots effort led to the creation of a Louisiana chapter of the New Leaders Council.  This statewide chapter is the first of its kind, and its first class of Fellows is equally unique.  From youth outreach, to recovery, to education, to law and politics, each Fellow is a true progressive working to move Louisiana forward.   Simply, these fellows are committed to making Louisiana’s democracy great.

But, they need your help. Louisiana’s chapter is still in its infancy; to find future progressive leaders, they need support from those that believe, like Teddy Roosevelt, our great democracy must be progressive.

One way Louisiana NLC is raising money is through a First Annual Fellows Fundraiser, to be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the M Bar in Baton Rouge.

The Fellows are working hard to make this one of the best progressive events in Louisiana, and they would love for you to attend, or simply to show your support through a donation for the cause.

Your support for a progressive Louisiana is needed today. Please consider buying a ticket or donating now, by clicking here.

If you’d like to make a bigger commitment to Louisiana NLC, please contact Ashley Koch, the Fellows fundraiser chair at 317-652-700, or at askoch@gmail.com. You can also make larger donations, by clicking here.

Where do you want Louisiana to be in 5, or 10 years?  If you believe, like Roosevelt, that Louisiana must move forward, please consider attending or donating today.

Interested in who will be there?

Find the event on Facebook!

You can also follow Louisiana NLC on Twitter, here:

http://twitter.com/nlc_louisiana

To learn more about Louisiana NLC, visit the website:

www.newleaderscouncil.org

Alton on the far left

I am horrible at dealing with loss, not because I get so overwhelmed with it that it overcomes me but because I have no idea how to talk about it once it happens. This is a trait I know that has been passed down to me by my mother which was clearly shown this past weekend.

A Little Background

Two weeks ago, my mother’s husband passed away. He was an older man who has taken care of my mother before and after she got out of prison. The relationship is something that most would not understand but in my 21 years of life I’ve gotten use to their nontraditional lifestyle.

My mother met Alton while she was caught up in a drug obsessed lifestyle. She rented a trailer on his property for a few years before she meet a man that deserted her when she went to prison for a few years. Once she got back, Alton was there to take care of her emotionally and financially like she took care of physically as he was grew in age.

Throw in the fact that my mother is a lesbian and the story gets even crazier but their love was something that can not be placed in the category of what most would classify as marriage.

My relationship with him is hard to define also but I was grateful for his presence in my life. He always had a kind word to say to me and frequently said how proud he was of me. His children were dirt bags that tried to take money from him to sustain their various habits, none of which involved taking care or getting to know their father so I tried the best that I could to be a some sort of son to the man.

He had lost his wife to cancer before my mom went into prison. He was going down-hill this tear after mother’s day because it would have been their 50th wedding anniversary. He loved her deeply. My mother told me a story this weekend that he went over 10 years with out any kind of sex with his wife and stayed faithful; a true sign of a man with a deep love for his wife while she was going through this trying time.

Back to the future

It was during the conversation over a Spicy Italian footlong that my mother and I had our closest thing to a deep conversation we have ever had.

Since loosing Alton, my mother has been cleaning and doing as many other things as she could nonstop, clearly trying to not think about the loss she is dealing with. I’ve called to check on her more than I have in a year but it’s mainly been talking about the details of the arrangements for his estate and other things.

It was while we were having the conversation over the sandwiches back at their home about his life that I realized death brings about things that we all need to dig deep for and find out about the ones we love. Doing this helps us appreciate their impact on our lives more and look back with fewer regrets.

I may have many regrets now that I didn’t know more about such a good man but I do know now my apprechation for all that he has done will go on til the day I die.

This is my first St. Patrick’s Day after discovering my Irish Heritage a few months ago. I wish I could go to a parade but the only thing I can do is have a Guinness at lunch so I thought I’d share some Irish things on the web log.

Favorite Flogging Molly Song- “If I ever leave this world alive” (Think he’s singing from the prospective of a dog. He says “I’ll come and sit by your feet tonight,” so it’s either that or he’s just got a foot fetish. Great song either way.)

Guinness St. Patrick’s Day official holiday petition. 

Just looking at St. Patrick’s day videos on YouTube and Fred had a video. Gets old quick with the high pitched voice as usual. 

Forgot John Mayer had a song about today. It would make for a good John Mayer Trio piece. 

Sorry there isn’t much more, like I said, just discovered my heritage a few months ago. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Correction for the previous post-Brawndo*, It’s got electrolytes.

*From the movie Idiocracy with Luke Wilson. Some people hate the movie but I think it has its moments.

Thoughts while on the eliptical:

Need to wash workout clothes.
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Bluegrass covers of Jack Johnson make for great workout music
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Brando- it’s got electrolites.
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I’ve only gone a mile?
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Why are there sheets hanging by a clothes wire in the Alumni Plaza?
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Seeing people not slow down for the big speedbump is funny. Hopefully they don’t have any hot coffee in their lap.
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I drank too much coffee this morning…