Home Comforts

Prior to my previous post about the physical exertion that is running, I managed to tear muscle tissue in my leg doing just that. It would appear that, contrary to common belief, exercise is actually detrimental to bodily health.

However, my injury has allowed me some well-needed rest time. I suppose it may have been my body telling me that going out every night is not a good idea, especially when you have several novels to read.

Whatever muscle it is, it hurts when I bend the leg, so I did walk to Asda like I’d forgotten how to walk, but when a student runs out of Super Noodles at lunch time, it’s no laughing matter. Also, having invested in a can of beans (embracing my studentism), I realised that we don’t currently own a tin can opener. We have since rectified this by investing in Asda “Smartprice” utensils. Beans all round me thinks.

For all of you who are working hard at 9 to 5 jobs, and who fear I am over worked, worry not. I have two days off a week. I do about 14 hours a week in total.

Although I’m not too smug as I do seem to have a lot of outside work to do, I have to walk or get the bus everywhere, and I must admit to missing my home comforts.

Running *

It seems to me there are two major types of lesbians – the hunter and the hunted. Those who pursue, and those who are pursued. These brackets don’t necessarily fit into any pre conceived butch/femme stereotypes, but I think it’s fair to say I’m usually the more passive partner in the beginning.

I seem to prefer to wait around till someone notices me, than taking the more proactive role. And this works for me. I’m not saying they are flocking around the block, but I get a few offers.

The thing that really throws me is when I am forced to do the running. I genuinely feel totally out of my depth. What do I do or say? Everything I seem to try makes me feel like an overgrown adolescent boy.

When I do the running it’s because I really like a person, as much as I like to pretend this isn’t the reason. My arms and legs grow to unreasonable proportions, my voice goes up a semitone, and I make a tit out of myself.

Am I doomed to just wait, and generally depress myself by embarrassing myself in front of the few people I really like?

*Seeing as I feel like an angsty teen, I can use angst sparingly in this post.

Read All About It

For the first time in a while I’m going to do a slightly more serious post, yet again apologies for content that is lacking slightly. I guess my life has been pretty well shaken up recently, and it’s harsh to be grounded by the bigger picture.

It’s been easy for me to ignore the outside world, and I know many students do. With so much on, so much work and play to be getting on with, it’s easy to miss things like the news.

I’m running on empty at the minute – it comes from not actually having any food in the fridge, and my money draining out of my account faster than I should be able to stop it.

I’ve been trying to keep up with the news – I really have. But simple luxuries like a television are sorely missed. I want to be keeping up with the Northern Ireland news, as this is another crucial time for the ‘peace process’ there – with big talks, some big issues to be thrashed out, and a deadline fast approaching. I also want to start following my local news, about what’s happening in and around Leicester – the free paper on the bus serves me well for this – if I can get one.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the fabulously informative Pink News (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/), I fully recommend it as an excellent source. Perhaps shorter, yet still not bad is http://www.rainbownetwork.com/ - which isn’t the best for news, but has good reviews, scene guides and the like.

I’ve always been a bit of an anorak in keeping up with current affairs I admit. BBC News homepage all the way!

Talking About It

I must mark ‘National Coming Out Day’ with a post of some sort. I admit to picking this up from Straight, Not Narrow, who are doing a great job at dealing with LGBT and Christian issues. Having met the Christian Union at my new location, I can confirm they aren’t much better than where I came from.

A survey from Advocate http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid37377.asp shows that seven out of 10 straight adults in the United States say they know someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The online survey of 2,932 U.S. adults also found that 83% of those who self-identify as gay or lesbian consider themselves out.

Yet, more than half of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender said that concern about being the victim of hate crime remains a deterrent to coming out. Other concerns include rejection by their families and friends and the threat of losing their jobs.

I have mixed feelings about the concept of ‘Coming Out’ day. While I recognise the importance of honesty, openness and having a positive effect on people’s lives, part of me is still uncomfortable about this brash concept.

I can't pretend I haven't encountered a sort of snobbery between those who are out, and those who are not. In a community supposedly not defined by preconceived opinions and labels – why then is it difficult to come out to gay friends as not out?

There is also no rush, yet as National Coming Out Day comes round for the third time since I have known of it’s existence, I kind of feel like I should be taking some form of decisive action?

Stomach Pump? Beer Pump.

It has been a while – things have been terribly busy in the world of Straight Talker. I have landed in my destination of Leicester, and have commenced my studies of English. There are a number of reasons why my blogs have been less regular, and study commitments are, at the minute at least, pretty far down that list.

One of the first things I noticed about my move is how brilliant being a student is. Fair enough you spend 3 years of your life accumulating debt, and if you come out with less than a 2.2, you may as well not have bothered. However it’s almost worth the debt for the cheap drink, the Domino’s pizza vouchers, and the fact you can just go a bit mad for a while.

I won’t go into how mad I’ve been, you know, in case you’d all hold it against me. I shall however divulge that my pennies are rapidly falling from my bank account. Also I’m showing that those of Irish descent really can hold their drink better than most. I say this as I gain the status of ‘Flat Alco’.

The reality of living away from home is hitting slightly. Yesterday I spent the day washing, building a washing line, shopping, struggling home with plastic bags of aforementioned shopping, ironing. Indeed – I think I might actually be a bit of a domestic at heart. My washing line in particular is something of which I am immensely proud. Who would have known a cupboard full of heating pipes could become such a beautiful piece of string art.

Anyway – I really should head to the bar. Pub quiz night tonight, and I really am a competitive lesbian.

PS. Are you earning so much you want to help fund my liver deterioration? See left hand side bar.