25 Random Things About Me.

Okay, just now getting to this.I've been tagged at Facebook, to do this.
So........
25 Random Things About Me

1) I used to be very very shy. In fact, I had tremendous difficulty speaking in front of class.Even in college, I was unable to do this, though I loved performing onstage.I suppose when I'm in "the skin of someone else", it's easier than just li'l ol' me standing up there. But poetry(reading it aloud) has helped me immeasurably!
2) I've always wanted to be Irish/Celtic, and I discovered recently that I do indeed have that in my Allender-background.
3) I have a secret fantasy where I am a glass-blower.(in the unbelieveable-irony-category, there is someone named Lisa Allender who is a ceramicist and also blows glass. She lives in UK. I guess she's the Lisa Allender, who gets to do that!)
4)I never had a burning desire for babies, but I would consider adopting an older child/children.So many kids have no home.
5)When I was growing up, we had dozens of dogs, as my parents raised German Shepherds. I used to think "dog-people"(my definition was anyone who raised and spent gobs of time with dogs,and/or showed dogs to win prizes or awards) were weird. Now, I'm older, and love dogs. And dog-people. I don't care about prizes or awards, though.
6) I am survivor of several types of violence in my life. And I believe that much-quoted statistic which claims that 1 out of 4 girls is molested by a friend of the family, or an(extended)relative.In fact, almost every woman I've ever asked, has said they were molested, or raped, at least once in their life. Really.
7) Regarding #6, I still have a bright, optimistic view of mostly all of humanity, and I have completely forgiven those who did harm to me. I figure, they must've been incredibly damaged, to commit awful acts, on others.
8)I love dancing, and once danced, NON-STOP, for nearly 7 hours(I was drinking water while dancing).
9)I think it's incredibly sexy to hear a woman/man read her/his own poetry.(No wonder I spend so much time, listening to poets!)
10)I am a very good cook. I love making pasta dishes, vegetarian dishes, and baking-- cakes, cupcakes, pies, cobblers--is my favorite!
11) A huge disappointment to me was not getting to complete the Team-in-Training Leukemia & Lymphoma Walk/Run of November, 2007(my doctor would not give permission for me to finish). I'm going to try again, though!
12) I used to read all about serial killers. I read so much about Ted Bundy, that I feel like I met him!(excellent books on him: "The Only Living Witness", by, uh, Hugh Aynesworth and his cop-partner, whose name escapes me right now(that book was given to me by a concerned boyfriend, who worried I'm too friendly(true) and would attract bad people(sometimes true)), "The Stranger Beside Me", by famed author, Ann Rule.)
13)I have held over 50 different jobs in my life.All were legal, though some of the jobs had me compromising a few things, but I do not regret any job I've held. Among the jobs:
*dee-jay at a night-club during college(I was 20 years old, and it was during the Disco-Years)
* a planter at a swelteringly hot, humid, seed plant in Ruskin, Florida.It was a summer-job. The folks who owned it were "religious", which meant I had to wear long-sleeved shirt(no bare arms!), with a bra underneath and long pants(no bare legs!)--in a 120 degree(yes, you read that right) greenhouse. In June, July, August. In Florida.
*Barista(before anyone in the US called us that) at Atlanta's Lenox Mall's Macy's Cellar Cafe'. We were "Sales Associates", but were trained to make cappucino's, lattes, etc. there. First espresso/cappucino machine in all of Atlanta, it was from Italy, and very expensive. I loved that job, because of the lovely people I worked with(I discovered, 10 years later--one gentleman I worked with was the uncle of a man I am now very close with!!).
*Actor. In numerous plays, and a few commercials/tv/film. I love acting, but may enjoy writing even more!
*Writer. I've interviewed many famous authors(including Oprah Book Club pick, Elizabeth Berg)and always love learning what they hold dear.
*Director of a musical, at a children's theater.I assisted at a well-known theater, in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. It was crazy-making, but very fun. The show was "Oliver!"
* Undercover detective. I was hired to report on suspected drug/alcohol use at companies, while posing as a secretary there.(gain the employees' trust, then report on them.)It felt VERY immoral/unethical, but no one ever lost their job on account of my job. All were offered drug/alcohol counseling. I guess that makes me feel a little better.
* Nightclub work. I held several different jobs, in a variety of nightclubs. Use your imagination.
* House/Pet-sitter. Love this work, as it's lots of fun. I did this, off and on, for four years.
*Voice-Over Actor. Really fun job(Anime' voices, commercial work). Pays really well, for very little time invested. But you should have an acting background. It IS acting!
* Waitress.Of course. Too many venues to mention(see also, nightclub work)
Those are just a few of the jobs that I've held.
14) Whenever I worked a job NOT connected to acting, or writing, I dubbed it a "job-job".
15) I used to catch colds, all the time. Because I do meditation, I haven't had a cold in over 9 years.(I believe meditation "centers" me, and so I am "shored-up" when bacteria or viruses near me). The average adult in the US catches 4 colds per year.
16) I love working as a volunteer, and am sad since I've been ill(the past several months, with Diverticular disease/pre-surgery/surgery/recovery) that I have not been able to volunteer with the schoolchildren through BookPALS, help out at theatres, or feed the hungry at the homeless shelter, downtown. I don't understand why more people don't volunteer. Even an hour or two a week, can help!
17)I miss doing retail work. I am very interested in jewelry, and especially, Gemology.I think working for Tiffany's would be a hoot.
18)Although I was raised Catholic, I lost all faith in any god, by 1987. In late 2003, however, and early 2004, I had an "awakening"(way too many things happening--and happening "perfectly"--that I could not explain in any rational way) to faith. I'd call myself a Catholic-Christian, but I'm VERY progressive.I'm much more spiritual, than religious. My way "in" to faith, was through the marvelous Peace & Social Justice group, Pax Christi.
www.paxchristiusa.org
19)When I was very young, I wanted to be a nun.
20) I first had strong urges/crushes on women, when I was 17. I did not seriously(I kissed a few women, that's all) act on those urges, until I was 27.My first woman was only 19--and she definitely seduced me(she was very experienced, etc.).
21)The second man I had sex with, in my life, Bobby, was exclusively gay. We were great friends, and worked together, briefly, at "Penrod's". He came over one evening, we watched t.v., and talked, and I tried marijuana(I'd only tried it once before,I don't usually use drugs)with him. And we joked about a pretty hostess we both knew. I said I thought she'd be a good kisser. He asked "How would you kiss her?" I showed him, and, well, one thing led to another. He was two hours late, picking his boyfriend up from work. I knew his boyfriend, and in fact, we were all good friends. Two days later, his boyfriend came storming over to my apartment, and pounded on the door, threatening to kill me. I hid in my tiny bathroom, and did not answer the door.
A few weeks later, Bobby showed up where I served food at a rib-restaurant, and tried to give me a ring(!). Said his parents and family(in Tennessee) would "just love you, Lisa." I explained I still had feelings for my first boyfriend, that what happened was once-only, etc. I told him I believed he, Bobby, was gay, that it was just an experiment for him. He said no, that he wanted me to marry him.I asked him to please leave. I never heard from him, again.
22)I have few regrets. Except I feel really bad about hurting lovers in my life. I was not always faithful, and loving, as a person in a relationship, should aim to be.
23)If I could live in any other country, I think I'd pick Greece.
24)My niece is top priority with me. Her health, well-being, self-expression, happiness.Young people have all that bright, open promise!
25) I was one of 12--count 'em--12 students, in 1976, in "College Republicans".Within two years,however,I was an Independent. I'm a registered Libertarian(since 1998), but beginning in 1984(in 1980, I voted Independent, just as I did in 1976),
I have voted in national elections, Democrat, all the way!
26) Because I sometimes am naughty--I'm adding a 26th thing:
I think friends really are "the family you choose". I do have a great, strong family-of-origin/family I've married into, both of which I am grateful for, but I'd be lost without my loving, creative, politically-aware, blogging, selfless, inclusive friends!
Peace, kids.

POLITICS, AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN....
Ah, politics. I want to have confidence in a new administration, and have great hopes for the correcting of many errors in judgement from this administration, but the Democrats need to get their act together---if there's even one scintilla of truth to these allegations(and there's much more than mere smoke, here!)---there should've been an investigation, years ago.
The Republicans jumped at the chance to investigate, when there was a President who was a Democrat in the White House, who lied.....his lie was about an affair, and though it certainly is a felony to lie to federal prosecutors, what was at stake was a President's reputation as family man or womanizer. What's at stake--what has been at stake--for years now, is whether statements were fabricated to cause, encourage, or promote a war with Iraq. Which has led to hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people being killed, as well as our brave young men and women risking their lives(nearly 5,000 have already been killed, as well as over 200,000 with traumatic injuries, many of them brain injuries). To create a false scenario for war is treasonous.I believe there is more than sufficient evidence that this happened. Indeed, George W.'s own commissioned investigative report (The 9/11 Report) clearly states that Iraq had nothing whatsoever to do with 9/11. We've all heard these facts, again and again. But bear with me, and read below. I find it ALMOST amusing(if it weren't so sad, and reprehensible!) that the press refuses to follow-up on any investigative work, or even questions about this. It's hilarious that the common belief in this country, is that the press is a "liberal press".
If this were a Democrat, the press would be all over it...And if this were a Democrat, you can be certain the Repubs would be all over the President, and his administration.(Bold italics, below, are mine)
A recent article at salon.com:
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The Scott McClellan sideshow
The former press secretary's testimony about Valerie Plame is valuable, but only the press can uncover whether Bush and Cheney lied to investigators.
By Joe Conason
Jun. 21, 2008
At long last, the most significant issues in the case of one-time CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson are emerging under congressional scrutiny. With former White House press secretary Scott McClellan as a willing foil, the Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee seem determined to examine the actual roles of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in the Plame affair -- from the leaking of her CIA identity through the subsequent attempt to cover up that unpatriotic and possibly illegal act of political vengeance.
But McClellan's appearance before the committee Friday was in certain respects a sideshow -- even though he recounted under oath several of the most damaging allegations and arguments in "What Happened," his recent bestselling memoir.
It was a sideshow because, as McClellan's critics both inside and outside the White House contend, he simply wasn't present for the most crucial discussions among the Bush administration officials who went after Plame Wilson and her husband, former ambassador Joe Wilson, to punish them for his public repudiation of the justifications for invading Iraq. He was a messenger, not a player at that level.
Indeed, McClellan admits forthrightly that he doesn't know what Vice President Cheney said to Scooter Libby, the former Cheney chief of staff ultimately convicted of perjury by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, although he alluded to widespread suspicions that Libby took the fall for his boss. McClellan also doesn't know what Cheney and Bush and former presidential deputy Karl Rove said to one another as the conspiracy unfolded and eventually unraveled under pressure from Fitzgerald.
What he does know now, however, is that "the top White House officials who knew the truth -- including Rove, Libby and possibly Vice President Cheney -- allowed me, even encouraged me, to repeat a lie." In Friday's testimony, he identified former White House chief of staff Andrew Card as the messenger from Bush and Cheney who asked him in September 2003 to stand up on the press podium and exonerate Libby as well as Rove. Repeating the same allegation originally made in his book, McClellan said Card asked him to tell reporters that Libby had nothing to do with the leak of Plame's identity to the media -- just as he had publicly cleared Rove of any involvement.
"There's been nothing -- absolutely nothing -- brought to our attention to suggest any White House involvement," said McClellan back then. His unwitting falsehood concealed the leaking by Rove, Libby and former presidential press secretary Ari Fleischer, who was immunized in exchange for his testimony by Fitzgerald. (Oddly enough, Fleischer has never suffered the kind of right-wing vilification as a "rat" that poor McClellan is enduring.) And we now know as well that Libby first learned of Plame's CIA identity from Cheney.
So if Cheney urged McClellan to lie, did the vice president likewise lie when it was his turn to talk?
Five years into the Plame scandal, that remains the most salient question not only for Cheney but for Bush too. What did they tell Fitzgerald when he and his investigators interviewed them about the leak of Plame's identity and the attempted coverup?
According to published reports, the special prosecutor questioned the president and the vice president during the summer of 2004. Those same reports indicate that Bush, who was accompanied by private counsel, wasn't sworn in during his interview. But even if neither he nor Cheney was placed under oath during their encounters with Fitzgerald, that wouldn't excuse them from telling the truth. Lying would expose them to prosecution for making false statements to federal investigators -- a felony -- as well as possible counts of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
Nearly 18 months ago, I pointed to this obvious line of inquiry -- and for the past six months, at least, the redoubtable Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has pressed the Justice Department to turn over the Bush and Cheney interviews. In a June 3 letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Waxman politely reminds Mukasey that he first requested those documents last December, along with the interviews of several other officials. He also points out that the interviews provided earlier by Justice, including that of McClellan, were "redacted." Among the passages blacked out in the McClellan interview were his answers about his conversations with the president and vice president concerning the Plame affair, as were "similar passages" in other interviews.
"There are no sound reasons for you to withhold the interviews with the President and the Vice President from the Committee or to redact passages like Mr. McClellan's discussions with the President and the Vice President. Mr. Fitzgerald's investigation is closed and he has indicated that it would be appropriate to share these records with the Committee. There has been no claim of executive privilege."
Waxman's letter also notes that when the House Oversight Committee was investigating Democratic campaign finances in 1997 and 1998, the Justice Department promptly surrendered FBI interviews on that subject with President Clinton and Vice President Gore to the Republicans in control.
Finally, Waxman writes: "The FBI interview reports that you have shared with the Committee raise the possibility that Vice President Cheney may be implicated in the release of Ms. Wilson's identity. Mr. McClellan's recent disclosures indicate that both President Bush and Vice President Cheney played a role in directing the White House response. The Committee cannot complete its inquiry into these matters without receiving the reports of their FBI interviews."
Most Americans have long since discarded any illusions about the integrity of this administration, especially in matters surrounding the war in Iraq. That includes the Plame scandal, where early promises of candor, transparency and accountability, many of them uttered by McClellan, have certainly never been fulfilled (to say the least). "Only those who know the underlying truth can bring this to an end," he told the Judiciary Committee members Friday. "Sadly, they remain silent."
They will remain silent as long as they can get away with it, of course. The members of the congressional committee who are seeking the truth deserve credit for their efforts, frustrated as they are by an attorney general who promised to uphold truth and law and has so far done little to establish his sincerity.
But why has the White House press corps permitted Bush and Cheney to stonewall for years? How long will the press remain silent when it ought to be asking questions? If the vice president and the president deceived the special prosecutor, aren't reporters supposed to find out? Aren't they even curious?
-- By Joe Conason
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It's hard to say it today, with the same questions here, again and again, unanswered, but....
Peace, kids. Peace.