My Vision for Our Fresno

This is the kind of city I want to raise my children in,

This is the hope I have for Our General Plan and Our City Government

Our city would actively preserve, defend and celebrate the strength of its diversity.

Our city would have jobs for all ranges of educational attainment and levels of English, and opportunities for its residents to improve either at any stage of their life.

Local businesses would be supported, especially minority-owned businesses, through as many means as possible, including training and support.

Our public transportation system would be convenient, efficient, and connects residents with jobs, health, and entertainment options.

There would be a green, connected, safe network of communities across our city.

It would be safe and popular to be active in green spaces and other public areas at all times.

Grocery stores would be located within walking distance from all of our neighborhoods

Every child would have a safe route to walk to school.

On Being Sure

Its silly how at the bottom of every conversation in every relationship, we still want to know, do you like me? do you really like me?
Its even more ridiculous to realize when you stay up late talking, after being in a relationship for almost six months, that we still have that same question, only possibly more desperate.
* * *
He Knows me now, inconsistencies and ideals and all. And he still wants me.
I Know him, too. I still can't imagine someone I'd rather be with.

The evening of New Years day, as we were sitting on the couch, I asked what he was smiling about. He said he was just thinking about how amazing it was that some completely separate person was sitting next to him, choosing to be with him.
Its gonna be a good year. Its gonna be a growing year, and an adult year. We're gonna be bigger and better than ever at this time next year. We totally got this.
* * *
Talking to Thomas via Skype, he tells me... "You.. your life.. you... sound more, uh, Fresno now", and I took it as the highest compliment.
* * *
We had a happy New Year in Santa Barbara, complete with posole in the morning, courtesy of a beautiful welcoming second-family. A sister-in-law is pregnant with a girl, and she was talking about how she and her husband wanted a few boys before they had a girl, so they could look out for her. Their first son is GORGEOUS as a kid, so there's no doubt this baby girl will be too. Their solution will be to keep her hair short and in baggy clothes. Scott agrees with their methods. He says he would be okay with having a daughter if he knew she would be ugly, or knew she would be a lesbian. He doesn't want any daughter of his being looked at by men.