What a busy, busy week.  Ledcat and I taped a segment for the Post-Gazette's "Omnivore" podcast with Mackenzie Carpenter on Tuesday.  It is up on the PG+ site now.  Being in the PG newsroom was quite heady for a geek like me.  Dennis Roddy recognized my name.  That's like Mr. Spock knowing a Trekkie's actual name.  In Vulcan.  Maybe in Klingon, too.  I felt faint, but I held it together for the sake of the lesbian nation's rep.  I did say something stupid and fawning like "I'm a big fan" which he probably hears all the time.  He was so gracious.  We also saw Brian O'Neill across the way but I refrained from blurting out "HI BRIAN" and embarrassing myself any further. 

MSM or not, that newsroom is pretty damn cool.  There's just a vibe.  I have no desire to be a reporter or columnist, but I would really like to just hang out there and type stuff. 

Yes, I scanned for Tony Norman but he wasn't in my line of site.  I think seeing Tony Norman's cubicle would have ruined me for any other reporter. 

I've also been very busy getting ready for our 90 minute election episode of SisterShOUT this Sunday. We'll be doing phone interviews with Kevin Acklin, Dok Harris and Tom Michalow.  Our studio guest will be Maria Lupinacci from 2 Political Junkies.  We've got some good stuff lined up, including a look at some of Maria's more awesome 2PJs graphics.  Only in the Interwebs can we put the word "douchebag" on the show.  In reference to Darryl Metcalfe.  Awesome.  And so true!

I just wrapped an interview with the City Paper about the whole branding/marketing hypocrisy of the Urban Spoon and Peace, Love & Little Donuts.  I'm trying to sort out why Joan Orie Melvin's Princeton University connections are defending her so ardently on my little blog. And more.

This will merit a separate post when I have some time, but please take a moment to acknowledge the first piece of federal legislation that affirms the civil rights of the LGBTQ community -- the Matthew Shephard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Act.  Yep, it is signed sealed and delivered -- we have our first set of national protections.  How does it feel? 

The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater is launching a series in November, featuring films about LGBT persons of color.  It is called My People.  Yours truly is a sponsor of the film series.  Our interest grew directly out of a SisterShout conversation with La'Tasha Mayes of New Voices Pittsburgh about the contrast in awarenesss of hate crimes against white young men like Matthew Shephard and other pretty much nameless victims.  The film schedule is attached.  Check it out. 

More later.