Thanks, Y'all

I'm back from the 'Sip. All went well.

Thank you for your kind words and sympathy.

After a weekend of relative solitude, I'm getting back into the swing of things.

(For the sake of my sanity, however, I'm not trying to play catch-up in the blogosphere... although I do hate the thought of missing out on your brilliant posts.)

If you can't say anything nice...

This weekend, I did something drastic.

I went into a salon*, picked a shade, and told a woman I'd never met to make my strawberry blond(ish) locks a deep shade of brunette.

The results are somewhat darker than what I'd chosen. (Read: Nearly black.)

The stylist's first words to me, before I even commented? It's not my fault! That's the color you picked! (Way to make me feel confident and fall in love with the look, lady.)

It's a dramatic change. And, because it isn't exactly what I was going for, the experience verged on the traumatic, but I think that's reigned in now. It's definitely growing on me.

Most of my friends say they like it. Travel Buddy said it suited me. You've read some of the things Travel Buddy says to me; he's not one to mince words or give false compliments.

So, why am I telling you this? Because some people I encounter almost daily didn't listen to their mommas when they were doling out cliched advice.

(With a look of horror) Why did you do that?!?

(Incredulously) Belle, what did you do to your hair? I liked it before! When will you change it back?

(Deadpan) It makes you look older. I don't know if that's what you were going for...

(With a screwed up look on her face) You like it?! Errr... okaaaaaaay...

Essentially, I want to cut these people. And to start telling them what I really think of their hair/outfits/faces.

But two wrongs don't make a right, or whatthehellever. So I'm not. I'm just whining to a bunch of imaginary people who don't even know what my hair looks like. :)

Thanks for putting up with it.

* I'd never been to a salon before for coloring.

It's a Matter of Equality

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

If marriage is to continue to be recognized by the U.S. government, the right to enter into those unions should be available to every adult U.S. citizen. Sexual orientation should not be a factor in the equation. This is a basic civil rights issue.

I'm not going to keep going on about it.

Sign The Human Rights Campaign Petition.

I believe that all Americans, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, deserve the rights, responsibilities, and privileges that come with marriage. And right now, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make that dream a reality. Please, join me in adding your voice to a million voices raised in support of marriage for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples.

Go. Speak. Now.

Click here: savetheinternet.com.

Fill out the form. Tell your story. Do your part.

You have until July 16, so do it sooner, not later.