Posts from — October 2010

I didn’t want to go this morning. I woke up late after having this dream about wanting to take home a cyclops, vomiting guinea pig from a pet fair held at the local middle school which had been redone to look like a mall. The cyclops guinea pig had seen me walking below (his cage was high up near the ceiling) and he had taken a running leap out of his cage to land in my arms. I was cradling him on his back so I could see when he was about to throw up and lovingly tipping him towards the ground so the vomit landed away from us. Seriously, how could you get out of bed and shlep yourself down to a rally after having a dream like that?

But, of course, I hauled myself out of bed, showered, packed up my reasonable sign, and explained to the twins why we were shleping down to the rally, and in explaining it to them, it sort of became clear to me and was the fuel I needed to get in the car and stand on the chilly Mall with other people desiring the same thing.

Because reasonableness is like that cyclops guinea pig and it needs me to love it and cradle it just as much as my vomiting pet.

Or something like that.

On the way to the rally

Turning onto the Mall

Hey, I found Lindsay in that sea of 200,000+ people

Welcome back to IComLeavWe. It stands for International Comment Leaving Week, but if you say it aloud, doesn’t it sounds like “I come; [but] leave [as a] we”? And that’s sort of the point. Blogging is a conversation and comments should be honoured and encouraged. I like to say that comments are the new hug–a way of saying hello, giving comfort, leaving congratulations.

Here is the vital information, pure and simple (a more detailed set of rules follows below the list):

• The list opens the 1st of every month. It remains open until the 21st. You can add yourself at any point. The list is open to everyone in the blogosphere–blog writers and/or blog readers.
• Add yourself to the list by filling out this form: The list is now closed (the new list will open 12/1).
• Click here to cut-and-paste this bit of code to add to your sidebar (if you have the old code from another month, remove it and replace it with this one). You need to add the icon or a link to the current list on your blog (see below) and will not be added until it’s up.
• Commenting kicks off every month on the 21st. Please mark it somewhere (calendar, post-it note taped to your computer…), though I will be sending out an email reminder on the 20th. Commenting week runs from the 21st to the 28th. Every day, leave 5 comments and return 1 comment for a total of 6 comments. You are highly encouraged to choose the blogs you comment on from the participants list below, but this is not required.
• I will send a second email on the 28th to remind you to remove the icon from your blog.
• Read below if you want to find out about Iron Commenters.
• The commenting ends on the 28th. We catch our breath and the whole thing starts again the next month on the 1st. Drop in and out according to what is happening in your life between the 21st and the 28th.

1. Stirrup Queens (twins, books, writing)
2. Three Cats and a Baby (new baby, adoption, infertility)
3. Infertility And Me (azoospermia, mfi, pregnant)
4. Here We Go Again (parenting, life after, humor)
5. InDueTime (life, infertility, pcos)
6. Our New Normal (adoption, pregnancy loss, learning to heal)
7. Baby Magnesi (infertility, mfi, depression)
8. A Half Baked Life (pregnancy after loss, food, yoga)
9. Maybe Baby . . . (or maybe the loony bin?) (pregnancy after ivf)
10. Write, Baby, Repeat (adoption, donor eggs, parenting)
11. Our Someday Family (new baby, mfi, random)
12. The 2 Week Wait (ttc, infertility, humor)
13. Being Joyful Always (weight loss, faith, infertility)
14. Lifeslurper (over 40, donor eggs, pregnancy loss)
15. Whitterer On Autism (humor, family, autism)
16. Planting a Pumpkin Patch (ttc, loss, pumpkins)
17. The Road Less Traveled (infant loss, IVF, embryo adoption)
18. Dragondreamer’s Lair (parenting, secondary infertility, crafts)
19. Aisha Iqbal (motherhood, writing, life)
20. Our Miracle in the Making A Great Joy is Coming (pregnancy after IF or loss, immune issues)
21. Someday (dIUI, birthday, family)
22. Savor the Moment (pcos, love, hope)
23. Woman Anyone? (unexplained infertility, surprise pregnancy, third trimester)
24. The Miss Ruby (living childless, longtermttc)
25. We got hitched. We bought the 4 bedroom house. We had twins. Now what??? (parenting after infertlity/loss, twins, life)
26. Trying for a baby (TTC, IVF, endometriosis)
27. Digital-Damita.net (frugal, green, ttc)
28. Flogging the Muse (art, painting, creativity)
29. This non-American Life (travel, expat life, Germany)
30. Your Great Life (fertility coaching, emotional support, family-building)
31. My Hopeful Journey (hope, coping, support)
32. Stress Free Infertility (stress free tips, advice, success)
33. My Ordinary Miracles (success after infertility, toddler, twins)
34. The Infertility Overachievers (secondary IF, IVF, son)
35. The Pursuit of Pregnancy (infertility ttc ivf)
36. Waiting for a baby bump (IVF, infertility, male factor)
37. Blawnde’s Blawg (infertility, pcos, IUI)
38. Waiting for that Positive (TTC, life, positivity)
39. ..Sam’s Town.. (twins, after infertility, photography)
40. Grief, Interrupted (grief, acceptance, special needs)
41. I Blog Because of Peer Pressure (twins after IF, miscarriage, life)
42. Heeeeere Storkey, Storkey! (twins, life, pregnancy)
43. Biz Mommy (inspiration, blogging, working from home)
44. Plans Change (adoption, infertility, teaching)
45. Getting There (adoption, waiting, life)
46. MyTTCstory (TTC, IVF, infertility randomness)
47. The Infertility Therapist (psychological aspects, infertility)
48. Three Little Birds (grief, son, photos)
49. NOT so Fertile Mertile (ivf, infertility, hope)
50. Riding the IVF Roller Coaster (1st egg donor cycle)
51. My Infertility Journey (parenting, infertility, ttc#2)
52. All In One Basket (hypothalamic amenorrhea, egg donation, owls)
53. Walking and Unknown Path (infertility, ivf, god)
54. Life In A Glass House (transracial adoption, god, parenthood)
55. The Inadequate Conception (infertility, adoption, humor)
56. Lil Family Blog (lesbian, toddlers, photography)
57. As Fast As My Baby Can (ttc#1, unexplained infertility)
58. Fervently Wishing (smc, health, ttc)
59. Sharee’s Stolen Angels Blog (faith, healing after loss, encouragement)
60. Mommy In Waiting (ttc, failed IVF, finding hope)
61. Musings of an Everyday Weight Loss Guru (weight loss, life, emotions)
62. His & Her Infertility (Just Like The Matching Towels) (PCOS, azoo, international adoption)
63. CD1 Again (infertility, sadness, on break)
64. Raising Cain (someday) (infertility, IVF, waiting)
65. For We Are Bound By Symmetry (ttc #1, unexplained infertility)
66. Bio Girl (parenting, infertility, endometriosis)
67. Banking On It (ivf, immunology/mthfr, mfi)
68. Write Mind Open Heart (open adoption, mindfulness, perfect moments)
69. A Woman My Age (adoption, infertility, parenting after 40)
70. Lily in the Valley (infertility, marriage, stepparenting)
71. Storm in My Teacup (IVF, TTC, happy)
72. Mommies Here! (adoption, infertility, life)
73. Ready For My Bundle (infertility, adoption, job loss/search)
74. Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed (infertility, POF, NaBloPoMo)
75. Not a Fertile Myrtle (male factor, endo, life)
76. Semi-fertile (loss, perspective, break)
77. The Infertility Doula (support, news, social commentary)
78. Flucky Mom (motherhood, opinion, life)
79. I’m Just Being Honest (IVF, deployment, life)
80. Half Baked Banana Bread (parenting after infertility, premies, life and love)
81. Project Baby (infertility, donor sperm, IUI)
82. Inspired Ima (triplets, jewish, food)
83. Find Joy Now (joy, adoption, parenting)
84. Are We There Yet (post-fibroid removal, high risk pregnancy, anxiety)
85. Cradles and Graves (2nd tri losses, IVF #2 – our very last chance)
86. The Panda Diaries (pregnancy, life, depression/anxiety)
87. Cloudy With A Chance of Hope (infertility, child loss, grief)
88. Rocky Road to Motherhood (IVF, infertility, life)
89. Autistic Child’s Parent (educating autistic children)
90. Musings of a Wannabe Mommy (humor, donor eggs, endometriosis)
91. Venting Vagina (ivf#2, embryo testing, unexplained)
92. Creating a Family (infertility, adoption, adoptive parenting)
93. Stumbling Gracefully (motherhood (after loss), photos, freebies)
94. My Infertile Confessions (IVF #1, G-d’s will, life)
95. Québécoise et bilingue, a Bilingual Quebecker’s Blog (Montreal, life, love)
96. Parenthood for Me (infertility, adoption, coping)
97. ErnieGirl (pregnant infertile birthmother)
98. If Life weren’t so IFfy (life, adoption, infertility)
99. Autism Mom Rising (autism, spirituality, overcoming adversity)
100. The Denver Autism Wheel (children, autism, optimism)
101. On Tap for Today (life, humor, Boston)
102. Enchilada Sunrise (fibrecrafts, bipolar, life)
103. The Suburban Princess Diaries (babies, parenting, pregnancy)
104. We Met on Match.com (IVF, TTC, infertility)
105. Just us and the Cat (ectopic, miscarriage, IVF)
106. Unglamorous (parenting, marriage, life)
107. MissyMom in Madrid (life in Europe, family, in the kitchen)
108. Musings of a Hormonal Egg Basket (pregnancy after IVF)
109. Mama Bear (adoption, infertility, pregnancy)
110. Ambivalent Womb (ivf #3, mfi)
111. Hearts Joined, Hands Fast (infertility, mfi, ttc#1)
112. A Page In My Book (parenting, preemies, special needs)
113. My Lovely Lady Bump (pregnancy, first time parents)
114. The King and Eye (autism, family, parenting)
115. Not Just an Army Wife (military, infertility, loss)
116. To Those Who Wait (infertility, IUI, life)
117. Life: Chats and Rants (pcos, ttc, life)
118. Artificially Fertile Myrtle (parenting after infertility, twins, humor)
119. Still Working on that Due Date (endometriosis, secondary infertility, IVF)
120. Cold Cups of Tea (autism, parenting, yoga)
121. The Barreness (infertility, dreams, reflections)
122. All I Ever Wished For (infertility, ivf, life)
123. The Journey to a Little One to Call Our Own (infertility, ttc)
124. Believing in June (pregnancy after infertility)
125. A Virtual Hobby Store and Coffee Shop (food, news, prayer)
126. My So-Called Life (humor, awkward, life)
127. Cape Girl’s Journey (pregnancy, IVF, stillbirth)
128. The Cortes Baby Dance (IVF, egg donor, PCOS)
129. Looking for my Keys (infertility, foster adoption, special needs)
130. Light Of Aquarius (aquarius, age of aquarius)
131. Our Little Family’s Journey (IVF#3, TTC#2, family)
132. Too Beautiful for Earth (miscarriage, grief, healing)
133. Adoption Journey (adoption, motherhood, adoption support)
134. A Greater Yes (embryo adoption, infertility, parenting)
135. Just Beginning (pcos, injectibles, iui)
136. The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow (I Hope) (multiple losses, childfree-living?)
137. Body Diaries by Lucy (parenting, infertility, pcos)
138. Whole Heartedly (loss, ivf, life)
139. Whitney & Erick – Our Home on the Web (infertility, miscarriage, IVF)
140. Yolk (infertility, ttc, life)
141. Scrambled Eggs-A Journey from IVF to Baby-Maybe (ivf, fertility, ttc)
142. I Spy A Family (adoption, motherhood)
143. My Beautiful, Messy Life (grief, parenting, spirituality)
144. Valentina in the Sky (stillbirth, dark humor, growth)
145. My Journey with Endometriosis (endometriosis, fet#1, pregnancy loss)
146. Trying Not to Scream (infertility, loss, trying again)
147. A little blog about the big infertility (recurrent loss, crappy eggs, IVFs)
148. Romancing the Stone (IVF, new baby, miracles)
149. All in G-d’s Time (adoption, embryo adoption, infertility)
150. Rammi.glomp.me (rants, whatever comes into my head at 11PM, randomness)
151. Wanna Bee (adoption, loss, craftiness)
152. ThatGirlWithEndo (endometriosis, pain, infertility)
153. Mommy In Waiting (infertility, waiting, IVF failure)
154. No Baby Ruth (PCOS, IUI, pregnancy)
155. Kate the Poet (writing, parenting, college)
156. Teresa’s Pieces (infertility, multiple ivfs, egg quality issues)
157. Infertility Unexplained (unexplained infertility, acupuncture, IUI)
158. In a Nutshell (severe mfi, ivf, anguish )
159. The Barreness’s Blog (parenting after infertility)
160. Finding Me After IF (3rd trimester, infertility, family)
161. Waiting For Our Miracle (FET, IVF, IF)
162. Searching for the Missing Piece (miscarriage, adoption, life)
163. The Eternal Guestroom (ttc #1, infertility, thoughts)
164. Transplanted Thoughts (life, boys, humor)
165. Surely Goodness and Mercy (RPL, IUI, hope)
166. Calmly Chaotic (ivf#1, injections, design)
167. Air Force Mummy (miscarriage, parenting, loss)
168. That’s My Answer (question of the day, life, fun)
169. The Road Less Traveled (unexplained infertility, life)
170. Survive and Thrive (infertility, eft, movies)
171. Ginger and Lime (infertility, mfi, confusion)
172. Discovering Joy In The Storm (MFI, faith, family)
173. The (In)fertility Diaries (new baby, adoption, life)
174. Circus Children (messages, moments, miracles)
175. A Little Bit of Life (pregnancy after infertility, marriage, life)
176. Infertile Follies (infertility, IVF, ectopic pregnancy)
177. Life with Endometriosis and PCOS (pcos, endo, trying again)
178. Misfit Mrs. (recurrent miscarriage, infertility, crazy family)
179. It’s Always Raining (infertility, life, foster parenting)
180. No Suzy Homemaker (IVF, RPL, stillbirth)
181. Chasing Mommyhood (single, ttc, iui#4)
182. Our TTC Journey (infertility, ivf #2, ttc)
183. My Little Science Experiment (success through ivf)
184. Salvageable (pregnancy, life, work)
185. Mission: Fertile Soul (fertility, coping, happiness)
186. Mydustyuterus (infertility, exercise, humor)
187. Removing Roadblocks (infertility, faith, food)
188. Carpe Diem (grief, infertility, relationships)
189. Random Thoughts from Angie (IVF, life, humor)
190. Jen’s Seven From Heaven (open adoption, support for birthmom)
191. Life in the White House (donor sperm, daughter, crafting)
192. Stork Stalking (SMC, pregnancy after loss)
193. The Bushey Life (pregnancy after infertility)
194. The list is now closed (the new list will open 12/1)

Q: What if I miss a day?

A: Catch up the next day by doubling your comments–12 comments instead of 6.

Q: What if I have two blogs? Can I sign up twice, listing both blogs?

A: Yes, but you also need to double your comments. If you have two blogs listed, you should be leaving 12 comments per day.

Q: What is an Iron Commenter?

A: Not for the faint-of-heart. People who wish to be an Iron Commenter and be entered on the Iron Commenter honour roll need to leave a comment on every blog on the participants list (exceptions are blogs that require you to have a special log-in, such as some LiveJournal accounts or other similar situations). You can spread out this commenting any way you wish over the whole week, but the final comment needs to be left by midnight on the 28th (EST). Reaching Iron Commenter status is done on an honour system. Please email me if you earn Iron Commenter status so I can add you to the wall of honour.

Q: Why do I have to add that bit of code to my sidebar?

A: The code is the latest icon (the icon changes colour every month so you know that you’re on the right list). This month, the icon is navy blue, the next month it will be green, etc. The reason is two-fold: (1) it enables more people to find out about IComLeavWe and (2) it gives you easy access to the current list once the commenting week actually begins and better ensures that you’ll use it. Too many times, people sign up and forget to actually do IComLeavWe and this icon gives you a daily reminder (with the dates on it) every time you open your own blog. The icon is linked back to the current list. On the 28th, remove the icon from your blog. A new one will be created for the next month.

Q: It’s the 23rd and I just saw this for the first time on my friend’s blog! I want to join the list–why can’t I?

A: Because IComLeavWe happens every month, once the list is closed, it’s closed. If you’re finding out about this on the 23rd, you can’t join the current month. But leave yourself a note to check back in a week on the 1st and you can sign up for the next month.

Q: You said the list closes on the 21st. Well, it’s still the 21st where I am. Why aren’t you moving my information onto the list?

A: All dates and times are U.S. Eastern Standard Time (UTC/GMT -5 hours). The list closes around 11 p.m. EST on the 21st.

Q: What if no one comments on my blog and I have no comments to return?

A: Well, that really doesn’t happen for the most part, but in that case, simply choose another blog and add an additional comment. The goal is to hit 6 comments daily as a minimum. Going over that is fantastic and encouraged.

Q: Mel, my question wasn’t covered at all. What do I do?

A: Email me; I’m quite friendly. It helps to place “IComLeavWe” in the subject line. You could also check this post which contains the history of IComLeavWe and see if you can glean anything there.

Looking for the comment section? It has been closed on this post. Use the form in the directions to add yourself to the list.

It will be so nice to have all of you with me at the rally (at least in spirit) on Saturday.  You can still add your name to the sign (it’s a pretty big piece of orange poster board) until tonight around 9 pm.  Then I need to finish it off and make sure it’s dry before we head down in the morning.  Will post pictures and stories on Saturday night.

*******

The Weekly What If: Even though this isn’t possible, if the elections next Tuesday came down to a single vote and YOU cast the final vote deciding the election (a la Swing Vote), would you want people to know this weekend that you have the deciding vote?  How about after the vote has been cast?  Or would you rather it remain a secret?

*******

The Creme de la Creme is coming, the Creme de la Creme is coming (like the Redcoats, but less violent).

The Creme de la Creme list will open on Monday.  Tuesday at the latest.  I’m giving you this heads up because some people want to be towards the top of the list.  So … take the weekend to read through your archives, pick a few favourites, ask readers to vote if you can’t narrow it down by yourself, and get ready to get your Creme on.

*******

The ChickieNob’s teacher asked to speak with me after school.  She told the children that since they were going on a field trip, they needed to bring their lunch in a brown paper bag.  The ChickieNob disagreed.

“Paper bags are bad for the environment,” she chirped, repeating one of the numerous lectures we make them sit through at the aquarium or zoo.  “I am going to bring my lunch box.”

“You can’t bring your lunch box,” her teacher explained.  “We aren’t bringing back the lunches from this trip.  The bag that we use to take down the lunches will turn into the garbage bag after lunch.”

“I have a perfect plan,” the ChickieNob informed us.  “I will bring my lunchbox inside a brown paper bag and then I will reuse the brown paper bag later.”

This went on for a bit and the ChickieNob was finally convinced that sometimes other factors trump being a good environmentalist, such as a teacher needing a system to smoothly cart 50 students on a field trip.  Sometimes, we just have to use something disposable and chalk it up to life getting in the way of our best laid plans (talk about environmentalist guilt).

I came on the field trip and sat across from the ChickieNob as she opened her brown paper lunch bag, which is why I got to hear the kindergartener mutter to herself: “my teacher, apparently, thinks it’s okay to use disposable bags.  When I know that it’s not.  But I’m using one and I’m going to throw it away.”

And the sighing.  For the love, the sighing.

The aquarium should be proud of how well she has internalized “Our Ocean Planet.”

*******

And now, the blogs…

Seriously, have you read anything funnier than Julie’s take on Facebook on A Little Pregnant?  I would say more than that, but I’m too busy reading about David Silver’s relationship with crystal meth.

On the other end of the spectrum — the way other side of the spectrum — Kir’s Corner has a moving post about losing her father.  But beyond that, it is a stunning tribute to her father and even if you never met him, you’ll walk away feeling as if you just spent time with him.

BigP and Me has a very honest, very moving post about her unique fears in having another child.  And frankly, that honesty is very very powerful.  Which is why I left the post thinking that her fears couldn’t come true because someone who is intuitive enough to have those fears would do everything in her power to not repeat the cycle.  It’s the opposite of denial.

Lastly, Dreams Recovered has a post about a pair of red shoes that make her happy.  I don’t know why — especially since they’re not my red shoes — but I kept smiling while reading it.  I love this thought: “I looked down at them today and I kinda feel bad about the shoes.  They never match the clothes I wear and I can just imagine what other people think when they see me in these crazy red shoes.  I was thinking maybe I should retire the shoes, but I stuck my feet in them again today and said, maybe not.”  Go read and tell her what inanimate object sums up who you are.

The roundup to the Roundup: Last chance to get on the rally sign.  Answer the Weekly What If.  Creme de la Creme is starting up next week.  The ChickieNob saves the environment.  And lots of great posts to read.

When Jon Stewart made the announcement about his march back in September, Josh and I decided to go down, even though we’re not really marchers.  In fact, the last march I can remember us going to was the Million Mom March back in May of 2000.  When you live in D.C., marches are a dime a dozen.

Why this march and not the other 3 billion marches that have happened in the 10 years since our last march?  Not to mention the 3 billion counter-marches that usually go on daily as well.  Can’t have a march here without a counter-march.

I’m not really sure.  It isn’t the celebrity factor since celebrities bring their causes to our city on a daily basis.  It isn’t that our politics are aligned because frankly, I don’t do political rallies even when I agree on every issue.

So it must be the message.

Because while I don’t believe strongly in a lot of things, I do believe in reasonableness, and, by fuck, we certainly need more of it.  A case in point, a few weeks ago, I wrote a series of posts that said that while I would have loved to have breastfed the twins, I wasn’t medically able because my body produces no prolactin, and while I think breastfeeding is groovy just as I think formula feeding is groovy, what I think does a great deal of damage on a quest to raise breastfeeding rates (which are already at a pretty reasonable 73.9% in terms of trying breastfeeding) is supremacy language.

And while the majority of people responded with a reasonable, “huh, I feel that way too” or a reasonable, “well, I think the breast is best campaign rocks, but you’re entitled to your opinion and I can respect it,” there were also the people who screeched, “Melissa is anti-breastfeeding!”

And the point is that if people can jump from the idea of “the wording of a campaign pisses me off” to Melissa just gave people the idea that breastfeeding is worthless and that she doesn’t support the hard work of breastfeeding … well … then we need this rally.  Because we seem to have forgotten that being pro-something doesn’t make you anti-something else.

And because people are on a hair trigger.  People don’t even read blog posts anymore.  They just skim to see if the person is in agreement with their ideology, and if they’re not, they unleash their displeasure on them.  Twitter is no longer the fun place to discover what someone is considering eating for lunch.  Now I need to wade through people writing inflammatory statements just to upset others.  And equally annoying, 30 calls to action a day for people’s personal problems with a company, organization, or other person.  Shit happens, and now, instead of dealing with it on our own, we instantaneously call forth an angry mob and call that social action.  We’re no longer responding directly to words and ideas and leaving people out of it — we’re skipping their ideas and verbally attacking human beings.

And I’m sure this post will get a few nasty comments too amid all the reasonable ones saying, “yes, I agree that we don’t all need to espouse the same philosophy in order to respect one another.”  Because I think the vast majority of us agree that the people we surround ourselves with don’t need to be replicas of ourselves.  That a nice Jewish socialist girl like me can be good friends with a nice Christian New Age Libertarian.  And I don’t love her despite those characteristics — I love her because of those characteristics.

I’m well aware that there are a lot of reasonable people out there who fit Jon Stewart’s description of the perfect people for this rally: those “who believe that the only time it’s appropriate to draw a Hitler mustache on someone is when that person is actually Hitler. Or Charlie Chaplin in certain roles.”  And I’m sorry if you’re that person yet you don’t live close to D.C. or can’t get down to the rally.

But just as you have accompanied me on a lot of quests over the years, I would like to bring you with me to this one.

So if you would like to be included on the sign I’m bringing to the Mall, which will say “we are reasonable” at the top, please leave a message of support below and I will include your name or blog title (all comments that come in after 9 pm on Friday will be there in spirit since I need time to make the sign).  I will be taking pictures and posting them here (hopefully on Saturday night).

Yes, you can be included on my sign even if you are going yourself. And if no one wants to be included, I’ll still make my sign (changing the “we” to an “I”) and behave reasonably.

Because seriously, is being reasonable that difficult?  Does allowing people their own philosophy, politics, religion, parenting choices, style of dress hurt me?

Remember when you were little and you went to a friend’s house and their mum served something you didn’t like and how the accepted response was, “no, thank you.”  You wouldn’t have dreamed of yelling at them, “well, you’re a hateful human being if you thought to serve me chicken nuggets, bitch.”  Um, can we bring back the “no, thank you?”

Please?

I was born to be Magenta. Seriously. It is the one benefit to having my mop of brown curls; you brush it out, tease it up, smear on some lipstick, find a French maid outfit (make sure you wear a black bra underneath and not your normal beige one), and head out to Rocky Horror.

And for a long time running, I was Magenta. You know, like those kids who stand in the front of the theater and act out the movie, helping the audience to call out the right lines. I was pawed by more Columbias and laughed evilly with more anemic-looking Riff-Raffs than I care to remember.  For your viewing pleasure, a 16-year-old Melissa with her hair all teased out a la Magenta on the way to the Key Theater in Georgetown*:

Which is why I was so excited to find out that Glee is covering Rocky Horror tomorrow night (October 26th) as their Halloween episode.  Forget the fact that I have never even seen Glee.  I was so excited that I wrote it into my datebook so I wouldn’t forget to Gleek out.  Isn’t that what the kids call watching Glee?  Gleeking out?

My feeling is that there is no such thing as bad Rocky.  I’ve seen a few stage productions of it and I’ve seen it in plenty of different theaters so I’ve encountered numerous “casts” that way.  And while none touch the pure joy of watching Tim Curry or Susan Sarandon, it’s all good.  So I’m excited to see Glee tackle it too.

Josh even endured listening to the soundtrack this weekend in the car while we drove downtown.  He must really love me.

* The odd line you see around the photo is the fact that it is a Polaroid (oh my G-d, it makes me feel so old to think that we had cameras where you couldn’t even make a second copy of the photograph much less put it online).