Today's PG gave me the heads up on a new social networking phenomenon, GLEE - Gay, Lesbian & Everyone Else.  I have a little MySpace page which I rarely use.  I also have a Facebook page that has proven more useful in reconnecting with old friends and a lot easier to use.  Then, there is Linked In, a professional networking site.  That one is pretty innocuous. 

Overall, the sites aren't all that and a bag of chips.  Facebook is my preferred social networking site.  I've found a few friends from both high school and college, plus I can keep up with my brother and his family.

None of the sites are particularly connected to my gay identity.  The relationship options offered by Facebook default to heteronormative standards -- that kind of sucks.  There are tons of LGBT groups set up on both Facebook and MySpace.  MySpace is more difficult to use and it suits me when I'm a little manic, but not on a day to day basis. 

So I thought GLEE would be worth a whirl.  It is very cumbersome.  I enrolled earlier today and have yet to receive my verification email.  Setting up "my page" was boring.  I scrolled through other profiles of those online from Pittsburgh and it felt very "get a date" like.  None of my actual friends appear to be in the network, but I could be wrong.  So I'll keep my profile up and see what happens.  Check it aht!

Saturday night, Ledcat and I caught a local performance of The Vagina Monologues at the City Theater. It was bloggers night. I snatched two tickets as soon as word hit the Internet.  Clearly, this was the perfect occasion for Ledcat and I to see the show that pretty much defines your feminist street cred. 

Overall, it was a good experience.  The performers were engaging, the venue was comfortable and the crowd was energetic.  They built up the tension by alternating humorous skits with soulful monologues.  The piece about the use of rape in war zones was very sad.  The piece that pushed the envelope involved a survivor of childhood sexual assault describing the healing she found at the age of 13 when she was "seduced" by a 24 year old woman. 

That was tough and several of us chatting afterward agreed that there was just no way that was gonna fly.  While you feel this empathy and appreciation that the child found solace and comfort being treated with gentleness, the fact remains that the 24 year old woman seducing a child is little better than the grown man who raped her at the tender age of 10. I was angry that the child's earlier experience made the "seduction" seem less of a violation. 

You can catch the Vagina Monologues at the City Theater through Feb. 17th and if you mention "blog" when you call you can save $5.00.  The number is 412-431-2489. (I learned that calling versus purchasing tickets online will save you a few extra dollars.)

After the show, we toodled up to Cambod-ican Kitchen which was packed.  We caught a table in the corner and enjoyed one of favorite meals.  If you like Asian food, I highly suggest you swing by sometime.

Sunday we met up with Gab Bonesso for a late breakfast at the Square Cafe. She and John McIntire have a show coming up on January 25 at the Club Cafe.  We'll blog more about that later.  Suffice to say that this show will be minus the clump of shlubs from her last show.  Plus, one of our favorites, Jason Kirsch, will be performing. 

Breakfast with Gab is a good time.  She's one of the best hanger outters I know.  Admittedly, I have low standards ... coffee and witty banter are my bailiwicks ... but throw in some bacon,and references to sixteen obscure bands that Ledcat loves and it is a heck of a morning.