281: Here I Am!

Well, hey there folks!

Welcome to October 14th!

Welcome to post number 281!

I know that I’ve said this before, but there are weeks where I have the light bulb moment of what to write about for y’all…and then there are weeks where I have absolutely no idea at all.

Well, welcome to one of the weeks where I have NO idea.

Yep, that’s right.

The mind has been racing trying to figure this out.

And it is currently still racing.

WHERE IS MY LIGHT BULB MOMENT?!

Yes, that was all caps.

This past Friday, the world recognized National Coming Out Day.

Coming out of the closet was something that I did back in 2005 during my junior year of high school.

Almost 2 decades ago.

But what is sad with that statement is that in almost those two decades, some of the prejudice still feels the exact same.

In fact, it might even feel worse.

The thought of safety is one that crosses my mind on the daily.

Every.

Single.

Day.

And the state of the world right now is one that scares me even more so than it did 19 years ago when I was in high school.

And yes, I’m still looking for that light bulb moment.

But, here is where I landed.

This week, I’m going to share 10 very real facts about me that you probably didn’t already know.

Well, I’m hoping you don’t already know.

So, grab your pumpkin spice whatever (or peppermint mocha since that is out and about now) and let’s get fact sharing.

1. One of my biggest pet peeves right now is when people do not thank you or make some kind of kind gesture after you let them either go in traffic or the crosswalk. LIKE REALLY?!
2. I 100% can’t wait…and I mean CAN’T WAIT to see the Wicked movie. Like…Jonathan Bailey…sing to me EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.
3. Back in elementary school, I had a huge crush on a girl (imagine that) and I drew her a picture of Pocahontas. (Apparently that was my go to Disney Princess back in the day). And one day at recess, I gave her the picture and she took it and walked across the macadam spaces where hopscotch squares were painted and threw it in the trash. I was devastated and clearly it is a moment that I will never forget.
4. Before my actual taping episode of Wheel of Fortune this Summer, I was sitting in the audience and sweating so badly that I could smell some body odor coming from my armpits and I was so embarrassed. I remember asking the contestant coordinator, Alex, if I could be excused to go to my gym bag in the hallways to re-apply deodorant because I did not want to be distracted by smelling bad while trying to spin the wheel and solve puzzles.
5. Another pet peeve of mine is when I have to use the restroom (AKA a urinal) and someone comes in and stands in the urinal directly beside me even where there are like 5 empty ones for use. Like, no. DON’T DO THAT. Ugh. Annoying.
6. I am terrible…and I mean TERRIBLE at using gift cards. Often times, I will have them for months or even years before I utilize them. (This doesn’t mean that I don’t love getting them as gifts though, so please don’t stop doing that).
7. I was devastated when I found out Santa Claus wasn’t real. I was on my parent’s computer and found “To and From” gift tags saved in a word document and my heart was crushed. As a 37-year-old though, I still have moments where I believe in the magic.
8. I don’t like how cotton balls feel to the touch. Makes me gag, cringe, everything.
9. The famous person who inspires me most is the late Betty White.
10. If there is anyone in this world who is struggling with their sexuality/or coming out, I am a safe space that can be trusted to talk with if you need a listening ear, loving heart, kindness, or three.

Well, folks.

I guess you could say my light bulb moment happened.

My apologies if this was a boring post for you this week.

And if it was, I’m so sorry.

I’ll hope to do better next week.

Oh, and make sure you’re registered to vote.

That’s all.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!