You know that Obama has been talking a lot about fuel prices especially for gasoline for cars. But with winter coming on, I'd like to hear him mention what the cost for heating a home is going to be for many folks.
I live in a Victorian house and when I moved here it was heated with fuel oil. Well, being my first house I just kept it that way. And every year the cost would go up some and I just paid it thinking it's too much hassle to get a new furnace. And someone talked me out of getting natural gas.
Well, last year my fuel oil costs were $3866 for the year at $2.74 a gallon. This year when I go my new contract with the Co-Op the price was $4.59 per gallon and it was going to cost me $7000 to heat my home. Yeah, $7000. On a piano teachers salary. I could go out of business this way.
I pulled myself together and went out and priced natural gas furnaces and ended up buying one. It took some extra effort on my part but now it's in and it looks great and works great. And the cost for heat for this coming year should be around $2000. Quite a difference from fuel oil.
My whole point in telling you this is to back up what Barack has been saying about the cost of fuel and that as a nation we need to definitely find other solutions to our energy needs. I found one solution for myself and I know in the future I might convert to a pellet stove and save even more. But whatever I do I have to think about the other families who can't afford the changes I made and who are stuck paying for expensive fuel to heat their homes this winter. I shudder to think of the bills they will pay.
I attended an Obama Team Training yesterday and was able to share the excitement of Barack's choice of Joe Biden as his running mate. This is just a great choice and they will truely compliment each others skills as a great team. I'd write more but it's 4:30 a.m. and better get back to bed.
Did want to share this with those of you who are my friends on this blog.
My dear friends,
It's been a while since I posted but I have been getting my summer piano teaching schedule going. I have 28 students so it's a chore. Plus keeping track of when they will be tacking vacations and such is tricky. And this summer I have 11 students in High School which I'm very proud of.
Have been doing some political work for U.S. Representative Tammy Balwin who makes her headquarters in Madison, WI. I have been working with Tammy and her office since she first entered politics. Now we are friends and it's great being able to take her around Baraboo on a Walk-the-Square and have virtually everyone glad to see her. Maybe you don't know but Tammy is the first openly lesbian member of Congress and I'm so proud to know her. She and Barney Frank - a long-time gay member of Congress are working together on an LGBT Equity Caucus.
Also we have an openly gay mayor of Portland now. The first major city to take that move. And hundreds of gays and lesbians are getting married in California. I'm sure you must have seen some of the pictures that have been posted of those touching events.
And speaking of mayors, did you know that the mayor of Berlin is openly gay. And also the mayor of Paris. So we are circling the globe with good gay energy. I think this is incredible.
This Sunday, June 29th I will be in the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago- where I lived for 24 years. I'll be riding on the Hall of Fame float since I was inducted in 1995. And I'll be carrying a sign that says that "Marched in first parade". This is my 39th year of gay activism.
Would love to hear from some of you and your activities. Having this blog is new to me so let's enjoy it together.
In pride,
Nick
Well, my four friends I'm kind of wondering if anything is going on for you. Something you mightwant to tell me or this blog about. I did just go to the Rush Limbaugh web site after I read at the Democratic Underground site that Limbaugh was asking for riots at the Denver convention. I read some of what was posted but not sure what purpose they would serve. Maybe it was if Obama doesn't get the nomination. Just very negative stuff.
Is anyone surprised or upset over the results in Pennsylvania. I'm not now. Guess Obama still has the numbers in his favor.
Heard some unbelievable comments from Hillary C. Seems that only a few months ago she said that the primary election was up to the voters. And now she's waffeling and saying that the voters really don't know who they're voting for because they don't have enough exposure to the candidates. In other words, she's paving the way for the super delegates who know more that John and Jane Doe to vote and make the decision. Boy, I'll tall you Hillary is a piece of work.
Never liked her from the git go when she was first lady. She should have stayed in the kitchen baking cookies..
Well, that's it for tonight folks. Hope to hear from someone soon.
My new friends - and there are four of you - WELCOME. You really surprised me this morning when I turned on my computer and you were in my email box. I just started this blog last night so I guess I can expect something to continue to happen.
Just so you know, this is my first attempt at having my own blog. I have contributed to blogs in the past however. I worked on the gay marriage amendment here in Wisconsin (which unfortunately passed into law) and did a lot of writing for that. Seven letters in the Mailbag of our local newspaper plus the blog.
Also wrote for SLDN and posted on their blog. This is the group working to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy of the current military.
Anyway, it's exciting to be here and if I mess up please forgive me. And good friendly advice is always taken.
Got to get outside to some spring projects. It's finally here after a hard Wisconsin winter.
Take care everyone. Looking forward to hearing from you.
This blog is going to be an attempt to give members of the LGBT community a place to express themselves regarding their place in the Barack Obama campaign. We have many of our own issues that are important to deal with but we must also look at the bigger picture and be interested in what is happening on a National level.
Barack has given us a unigue opportunity to be more of who we are and I feel this is the time to speak up and get going to help this man become our President of the United States.
