:BRIGHTSTUFF:..Personal & Political Musings & Rants by a Liberal Leftist Black & Asian Teacher

I realize that I've never given a full accounting (as if that was possible!) of who I am. That stinky little profile space on Mindsay doesn't really say much about me except that I love tofu.

So...for your edification...I give you...ME!

I'll probably end up adding on to this...

Name:....Brightstuff (or as I am known by my forum screen-names, Draupadi/La Candela)

Age:...a geriatric and definitely feeling it 33

Gender:...fatally hetero female

Relationship status:...in love and in lust with the love of my life

Birthplace:...Fort Dix, New Jersey. Yes- even army brats can be stinking lefties!

Where I lay my head:...New York, New York

Where I want to lay my head:...Scotland

Political stance:...decidedly more left than many democrats, but certainly not as left as Castro

Occupation:...Warden, cop, social worker, proxy mommy to third graders

Motto:..."He is a lover of his country who rebukes and does not excuse its sins."--- Frederick Douglass

Children:...about 21- depends on the school year

Pets:...an orange pooping monster of a dog-cat named Happy

Favorite t.v. shows:...I am obsessed with "Six Feet Under", and not as obsessed with "The Sopranos", "The Lehrer Hour", "The Daily Show". I'm starting to really like "The Bernie Mac Show", too. Very funny stuff!

Favorite radio talk shows:...Air America's "Randi Rhodes Show".

Favorite films: "Wings of Desire", "Nights of Cabiria", "Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, "Star Wars: Episodes 4 & 5", "Fahrenheit 9/11", "The Road Home"-- to many to mention

Favorite bands/singers:...Stevie Wonder, Jeff Buckley, Van Morrison-- too many to mention!!!!

What I’m listening to now:... "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone. BEAUTIFUL! "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me...and I'm feeling good...Freedom is MINE!"

What I’m not listening to now:... Toby Keith

Song that describes me in high school:... "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian ("those of us who knew the pain of valentines that never came...")

Song that describes me now:..."I am a Patriot" by Little Steven ("What I believe in my soul ain't what I see with my eyes")

Best thing that ever happened to me:...finding true love with a wonderful and talented man

Worst thing that ever happened to me:...losing two beloved beings to death

Hopes: mommyhood, long and fruitful life, and of course, the ousting of one Talking Monkey