It Wasn’t Supposed to Be Like This

It was never supposed to be like this.

At five years old, if you asked me what I would be doing when I was 30, I’d tell you I was going to be a famous pop star.

If you asked me at 10, the answer would be the same, except I’d be married to Joey McEntire from New Kids on the Block. We’d have lots of babies. Don’t you judge me.

If you asked me at 16, I’d still be a pop star, but Joey would be replaced by Justin Timberlake. We’d still have lots of babies, though.

You shouldn’t bother asking me what my thoughts where when I was 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24…

At 26, I thought I’d move to California and meet me some gorgeous rock star and together we’d tour the world. I’d finally be happy. I’d finally be skinny and gorgeous and rich and famous. Or at least infamous. Either way, there would be no way in hell you could get me out of California.

At 28, there would be no gorgeous rock star in my future, but it would be me and the bestie forever. Thelma and Louise, minus the gruesome cliff ending. We would party until we were 80! Seriously, I figured I’d die in the back of the Viper Room on my 85th birthday, because when you’re 85, you really shouldn’t do flaming shots of booze. Bedtime was sometime before sunrise, paychecks were spent in the fast lane of life, leaving just enough for bills. Leaving California was the last thing I’d ever do.

I was going to get a business degree. I was going to start my own promotions company, I was going to work with artists and turn them into stars!

A year ago I thought I’d party and be single for the rest of my life. My heart and my pride had been passed around and stomped on way too much, and I was okay with being alone. I was done with relationships! And that handsome guy who just walked in the bar? Yeah, totally not for me, but he’s damn cute, and he’d be damn fun to flirt with. And he drives a motorcycle!

In August 2015, everything was going to be perfect. Kentucky was a great move, everything was a sure thing. That guy from the bar had stuck around, had a plan, had a sure thing waiting for us. 2,200 miles away from where I said I’d never leave…

It’s 2016. I’m 30. 31 is fast approaching.

I’m not a pop star. I’m not married to Joey McEntire, Justin Timberlake, some unknown rock star. I’m not married at all.

I left California.

Kentucky was not perfect. It was not a sure thing.

I’m a waitress. A waitress that is in bed by 10pm most nights, and it’s a rare treat if I go to the bar.

But…
That guy from the bar? He’s still cute, and he’s still fun to flirt with. I’m not skinny, but he does tell me I’m gorgeous. All the time. He doesn’t stomp on my heart or my pride. In fact, he’s piecing it back together bit by bit. He’s healing the damage that the others before him did, healing the damage I’ve done to it myself. Turns out, he totally was for me.

And on those nights where he just can’t keep his eyes open past 9pm because he’s up at 5am and out the door to catch his ride to work, then busts his ass for 9 hours a day, I watch him sleep.

I smile when he shifts to find me in bed next to him, because he needs to feel me, needs to be touching me.

At 5am, when he’s rushing out the door for work, he never ever leaves without a kiss goodbye. He never leaves the house without saying “I love you, beautiful”. He calls me beautiful all the time, he calls me sexy, he calls me Pixie. But every once in awhile, he calls me by my real name. And I love it, because it reminds me that he knows all of me. And he still wants me, still loves me. All of me. Even those dusty corners I’ve kept people out of for a long time.

Those sleepy 5am kisses. Curling up with the pillow that smells like him. Messages telling me to come home from work, from errands, from anywhere because he misses me. He needs me.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. But it is.

And I’m happy.

The Phoenix

Originally, this was intended for my English Comp I class, but it was not the write type of piece for the assignment. So I’ve decided to post it here.

~~~~~~~~~~

She could hear the soft pitter-patter of a light rain on her window. She felt so calm in the warm comfort of her soft blankets and fluffy pillows. It was in that quick and fleeting moment she felt safest, that brief breath between sleeping and awake. Safe and at peace with the world the way it was.

At first, she wasn’t quite sure of what woke her. Opening her eyes as little as possible, she was confused to see it was still the dead of night. With a soft grumble, she twisted her body to look at the clock. The digital display read 2:48 AM. Before she could register even more confusion, she heard the first crash; a vase smashing. Then, seconds later, a bang; the dining room door slamming open.

            Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, slowly she slid from the warm sanctuary of her bed. Shuffling to her bedroom door, she heard the third commotion of the night. Bangs and crashes, glass breaking, and a string of slurred curse words. Rubbing her temples, she spoke softly to herself, “Mama’s home”.

            She made her way to the kitchen, stopping at the next bedroom to check on her twin sisters, Seraphina and Illiana. She slid the door open quietly, and looked in on two innocent and sweet 4 year old girls, dreaming peacefully, blissfully unaware that they were poor, almost destitute, and their sister was struggling to keep it all a secret from them. Seeing that they were still asleep, she slowly shut the bedroom door and continued on to the kitchen, surveying the destruction along the way. To the left of the back door lay a black purse. Spilled around it were its contents. Multiple pill bottles, loose pills, a few pennies, and two empty nips of gin. Definitely her mother’s purse.

            Just a few steps down the hall, amid the broken shards of the vase, lay a black stiletto pump. A few steps more lay the other, next to her mother’s black jacket. That jacket cost almost a month’s rent, but Mama never went without. Whatever Mama wanted, Mama found a way to get it. Unfortunately, food and shelter for her children wasn’t ever on the top of Mama’s shopping list. Stepping inside the kitchen she found the source of that final disturbance. Splayed out on the floor, half underneath a pile of broken dishes lay Mama, groaning pathetically in a drunken stupor.

            A heavy sigh on her lips, she flicked the kitchen lights on to further assess the damage. With the fluorescent light came a slurred command. “Turn that damn light off before I slap the shit outta you!” her mother boomed.

“Sorry, Mama”, she whispered, flicking the lights back off quickly. With the request granted, she gently kicked aside the glass and extended a hand to her mother.

            It took a great deal of effort, but she was finally able to pick her mother up off the floor and get her on her feet. Slowly, she led her mother towards the bedroom.        

“Le’ go’ o’ me! I ain’t fuckin’ crippled!” her mother shouted.

 “Sorry, Mama”.

“And clean up this damn mess! You are disgusting! Worthless!”

Holding back the tears, she replied “first thing in the morning, Mama. I promise.”

            She didn’t see it coming. The punch her mother threw caught her completely by surprise. She felt a crunch and a warm flooding sensation as the fist met her nose, breaking it. She screamed just in time to feel the clump of hair being torn from her head. Bursting with rage, fueled by booze and pills and Heaven knows what else, her mother shoved her to the ground and pummeled her.

            Tears poured from her eyes as she begged and pleaded with her mother. “Stop, Mama! Stop! Please!” she cried, curling up and making herself as small as possible. It was hopeless, no matter how she cried, her mother continued to kick, punch, slap, and scream at her. Bloodied and sobbing, she took her beating, afraid to fight back, afraid it would get worse.

            Just as sudden as it came, the vicious attack ended. Exhausted, her mother struggled to her feet, spit on her eldest daughter, and stumbled off to the bedroom. She lay there for what felt like hours, but was just mere moments. She fought the sobs she felt deep inside, suppressed her screams, lest she instigate another outburst. Finally, with all the strength she could conjure, she stood and painfully cleaned up the mess as best she could.

            As she slid the shards of glass into the trash, a series of hard knocks came at the door. She hurried to answer, fearing it would wake her mother, and yelped with pain as she sprung for the latch. “Police!” a loud, let familiar voice called from beyond the door.

“Open up, honey. You know who it is. Officer Hickhock”.

She slid the chain just enough for the door to give way a half inch. “Everything’s fine, officer. Just a little argument this time. Promise. And please, keep your voice down, she’s trying to sleep.”

“This is the sixth call we’ve had this month, the 17th since you guys moved in only four months ago. This has to stop, now let us in.” When no response came, he continued, “don’t make us break the door down. That’ll wake her for sure. Come on, honey. Open the door for us.”

            She shut the door with every intention of walking back to her bedroom, closing her eyes, and grasping for all the solace of sleep. She had done it time and time again. But this time, something was different. She began to shake, and her mouth dropped open with cries only she could hear. She felt a red hot pit of fire balling up in her gut, emotions coursing through every nerve in her body, every hair standing on end.

With trembling lips, she squeaked “she beats me. All I do is love her, but she beats me. I cook, I clean, I take care of the twins, I carry her to bed, I wipe the sick from her face, and I mix her drinks when she screams at me.” The word poured from her lips like water, she couldn’t stop them even if she wanted to, not even if she tried. All she could do was stand there and let it all stream from her body. “We have no food, rent is unpaid, everything is being shut off… and… she… beats me.”

            And then with her own admission, the nerves calmed, the trembling ceased, the fires extinguished. Her battle weary body relaxed for the first time in who knows how long, and all her fears were gone. With a single confession, she conquered. She no longer feared losing the love she didn’t have, the comfort she hadn’t known, and the mother she didn’t realize she had already lost.

            Sliding the lock from the door, two police officers entered, and promptly searched for her mother, their intentions to arrest her. She stood there staring at the floor as Officer Hickhock finally entered the apartment. As he looked at her, he saw past her abuse. He barely saw the bruises, burn marks, and scars. Hardly noticed the visible rib cage and malnutrition. What he saw before him was the rebirth of a 15 year old phoenix, and all he could whisper was “Oh… Lucy” as tears slid down his cheeks.

There Is No Closure For This Wound

12 years ago today, my life changed forever, and I never saw it coming. Or, maybe I did, and I am 12 years deep in denial. Either way, it hit me out of left field. Oh look, a baseball reference. You would have loved that.

The thought of that late night long distance call still shatters my heart every time. She could barely get the words out. It didn’t matter what words she said, all I heard was “Papa’s gone.”

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss you, or think of you, or need you. 12 years gone and I still don’t know how I made it past day one. I don’t even remember how I kept breathing, walking, living. It all seemed so pointless without you.

And it is all a lie. You are not in a better place. You are not where you belong. You belong here. With me. Your memory is not sufficient enough to replace all that you were…no, all that you are to me.

My heart hurts, Papa. It hurts every single day without you. I hate so much, Papa, and hate never fills the void, it only makes it bigger.

I hate that you are gone.

I hate that you were stolen from me.

I hate all the things I still don’t understand about how, and why.

I hate myself for being too naive to ask questions.

I hate that I have to face each day without you.

I hate that all the memories we had yet to make were stolen from us.

I hate the things that happened, that would have never happened had you been there. Right where you always were. In my corner, holding my hand, telling me it was all going to be okay.

After you were gone, Papa, it wasn’t okay anymore. You were what made it okay.

And I’m starting to forget, Papa.

I can barely remember what your voice sounded like.

I can scarcely remember your cologne.

I’ve forgotten what your home looked like when you were in it, all I can think of is the shell it is now.

I’ve forgotten the smell of the upholstery in your Cadillac, the smell I used to love.

I’ve forgotten all the little details of the doll house you were building me, even though it was more for you.

But most of all Papa, I’ve forgotten how to be loved. I can’t remember what it was like, all I can remember is that it was good. No one will ever love me like you did, Papa. It’s not possible. No one will ever love anyone the way you loved me. It was so unique and special and perfect. It was never expected or assumed or persuaded or begged. It just existed and it was pure, and it was better than any Jim Dandy Sundae or fresh pack of baseball cards or burnt and “cremated” hamburger.

I try to stay positive, especially on this day. I try to remember all the good things, and trust me, I’ve plenty to choose from. But it all still hurts, and I’m a fool to deny myself that pain.

I wear my heart on my sleeve, Papa. It’s one of the few ways I’m so different from you. I guess nurture can’t take over everything. I wear it proudly though, Papa. Literally and figuratively. It’s beaten, and bruised, and broken, and scarred, but I wear it. You’re in there. No one else can see it but me, but you are.

She hates my tattoo. Well, plural, tattoos. I like to think we would have bonded over them. Maybe I could have convinced you to get more. That would have been so cool. A lot of things would have been cool.

….and just like that, the pain is back. It felt good for a minute, I even smiled. But that cold hard truth creeps in and reminds me that you are gone.

And I hate that most of all. The one thing I can’t forget; you are gone.

 

 

11/2/12 Daily Thankful

Today, I am thankful for The BFF.

No, really. She is amazing. I honestly couldn’t survive without her. She listens to all my incessant whining, my stupid ramblings and even my bad jokes (even if she forgets to laugh at them, Velvet Underground!!).

She gives me support, a couch to crash on, and sooooometimes, acts as my favorite enabler. There isn’t a damn thing about that woman I don’t love the crap out of. So The BFF, today is for you!

Other Things I Am Thankful For:

11/1/12 – I am thankful for my job.

11/1/12 Daily Thankful

It’s November, and many people like to post about all the things they are thankful for. Well, my arm has been twisted, and I’m going to join the masses on this one. Every day, I’ll post something new I am very thankful for.

November 1st:

Today, I am thankful for my job. In this economy, not everyone is as fortunate as I am to be employed, even if I’m not raking in millions. My job keeps me busy, puts food in my mouth, and basically allows me to continue doing what I’ve always wanted to do; live in Southern California.

So thank you, job, you ARE appreciated!

 

 

 

Surrogacy

It’s never been a secret that I didn’t have the best childhood. My father bailed when I was too young to even know I had a father, and my mother put partying and drugs before her children, and married a man who abused me. While both have attempted to atone for their actions, I’ve always wondered why the cycle stopped with me.

It’s long been discussed that abuse and addiction spiral children into a vicious cycle. The abused will abuse. But with me, that never happened. I’m not typically a violent person, even though I may be short-tempered and easily agitated at times. As far as drugs go, I’ve never done anything worse than pot. I’ve seen it, I’ve been around it, I’ve been offered it, but the thought never appealed to me.

Throughout the years of my childhood.. what went right? Surrogacy.

While my parents were making poor life choices, somehow, I always found people who DID love and care for me. I didn’t actively seek out these people, maybe they found me. No matter how they came into my life, I’ve had many “mothers”.

My grandmother and grandfather stepped up to the plate early in my life. My earliest memory is of my grandma and my Mom fighting over me, and my grandfather intervening and bringing me inside. My grandfather was the man who I will always be able to say loved me first, and the most.

As I got older, and really saw and understood my mother was an addict, I became close to my friends mother. Mea, or as I call her, Mummuhz, became my guiding light, and really took me under her wing. We had lost touch for several years, and when I moved back to the area, rekindling my relationship with her, her husband, and her son became an important, albeit easy, task. They re-welcomed me with open arms, and saved me once again. Not only is she a surrogate mother, but I call her son my brother.

Making the choice to move 3,000 miles away was difficult for me. Not only was I moving away from my sisters, who I’ve cared for their whole lives, and making it more difficult for my mother and I to repair our relationship, I was leaving my surrogate family. It was so hard to explain to all of them that I loved them, I wasn’t unhappy with them, I just needed to go where my heart was leading me. Like any loving family, they understood and supported me.

When I made the move, at first I felt a rush of adrenaline. Then, it started to sink in, I didn’t have any of my “Mom’s” here. But, in typical Pixie fashion, once again I have found family.

The BFF is my rock. She’s not a mother-figure to me, but the world would be infinitely more lonely had I not found her. She has helped me in more ways then I could ever explain. I didn’t just gain a best friend, I didn’t just find that there is someone out there who understands me. Her family has also welcomed me. Her sister refers to me as “Auntie Pixie” to her 4 children, whom I adore. Her mother has been loving and welcoming as well. Even her Aunt from up north has welcomed me.

It’s not always in person I find family either. For a very long time, members of the Julien-K message board were my family, some of whom I still talk to today. Those people brought me through some of the roughest of times.

When it boils down to it, as of late, I’ve looked into my life and really recognized all the life lessons I’ve learned. Don’t put metal in the microwave, don’t put the whole bottle of food coloring in your sisters bathwater (sorry Emi!), never trust an adult beverage that sounds like a porn film. But the most important lesson I’ve ever learned? “Family” isn’t blood, it’s all the crazies you choose to keep in your life.

And man, I sure picked a bunch of weird ones.

P.S.: According to WordPress, this is post #100! Wooo! I finally made it! Hey, shut up, it’s not a race!

Girls in the ‘hood

The BFF and I are random. It’s kind of what we’re famous for, along with last minute (usually awesome, but poor financial) decisions, and being fabulous. It’s why we like us.

A while back, we got word that a record store all the way up in Long Beach had free sampler CD’s from a band we like, and being the random bitches we are, we decided to take the 1 1/2 hour trek. What can I say, we *really* like free.

After getting our free shit, then “accidentally” spending some money on random CD’s and DEER SHAPED CRAYONS, we decided it was still early enough to go on an adventure. (What? We like free, but we also like the band Orgy, and Skid Row. Don’t judge us!)

Driving through the area, we noticed a few cool sights, enjoyed the music from the used CD’s we rescued, and decided to head home. Being the awesome (read: horrible) navigator I am, I’m looking down at my phone, trying to figure out my map, when the BFF *screams* “GIANT DONUT!!!!”.

I dropped my phone in my lap and was all, “What? Where?! WANT!”. ‘Cuz what fat girl doesn’t want a giant donut! Disappointingly, said giant donut was on top of a donut shop, which appeared to be closed, so we went on our merry way.

Since that night, Giant Donut has become somewhat of an inside joke between us, as a lot of things do. We’ve even done some research to find out where the hell the GD was.

Today, I got this magical text from The BFF:

BFF: Dude! The giant donut TOTES was in Compton!!! Cuz the bitches in da hood are always hard. (Have I mentioned we like to dirty rap to Eazy-E at 3 am? Stop. Judging.)

Read that again. Yeah, that says Compton! Compton as in COMPTON, CAL-EYE-FORN-EYE-AY!

Picture this: Two women. Two WHITE women. Two WHITE women in a Mini-Van. Two white women, in a mini-van, after dark. Two white women, in a mini-van, after dark, IN COMPTON!

Sometimes, Internet, ignorance really is bliss.

 

Would You Like Crazy With That?

For me, sometimes it’s very hard to think of what to blog about, which results in this blog sitting lonely for months on end. But sometimes, the fodder just comes to you.

I was waiting in line at a pizza place that just opened near my house. This is the exchange that took place.

Rude Lady: **rambles off order**

Counter Girl: “Gotcha, 4 small beverages, 3 topping pizza, garlic bread… anything else?”

Rude Lady: “FRIES!”

Counter Girl: “Oh, I’m sorry ma’am. We actually don’t have fr-”

Rude Lady: “WHAT?! What kind of PIZZA place doesn’t have fries!!!!

Me: “I know, right!?” **smiling, thinking she’s kidding**

Rude Lady: **spins around and gets in my face** “You think these damn Mexican’s would learn to cook OUR food the way WE like it. We like god-given french fries with our god-given pizza!!”

Me: “Whoa… I totally thought you were kidding. Oh, wow. Okay. Yeah, fries are not THAT big of a deal.”

Rude Lady: “HEATHENS! Cancel my order!” **to her 29583958 children running around** “Kids, we’s going to [Mexican Restaurant nearby], maybe THEY’LL have french fries for you!”

Me and Counter Girl: **blink, blink**

Counter Girl: “Um… welcome to…. **sigh** You don’t want french fries, do you?”

 

I cannot make this shit up, people.

Try Not To Destroy Me

That moment. It took a long road to get to it. A road that started months ago. I’ve been to almost every show they’ve played this year. The album has been on repeat. I’ve sang along to all the songs they’ve already played. I’ve danced, I’ve screamed, I’ve earned that moment. The song starts, the last song of the night; my song.

I let all of my senses welcome this song. I hear it, of course, and I see him, just him. I smell the booze, the sweat, the enticement, the excitement. I can taste the words, dancing on my on tongue, sweet like sugar. I can feel the music on my skin, mingling with the goose bumps.

Nothing matters right now. No one is there but me and him and that song. Every thing and everyone just melts away. All the tension, the apprehension, the anxiety; disappeared. It’s just us. I almost cry from the sensory overload, but instead I soak it all in. That moment, my moment.

I feed on those words. I thrive on that melody. It’s so intimate between us right then, I feel so vulnerable, so exposed. I’m aware it’s one sided, but it doesn’t matter. It’s just me, him, and that song that matters. Everyone else can go ahead and look in my windows, peek at my soul.

It feels like hours, but hours that go by too quickly. I knew it wouldn’t last forever, but it ends too soon. With the final word, the final chord, that intimacy lost, that connection broken, the moment passes. I come back to Earth, back to myself, and the party has just begun.

Night number two, and I’m surrounded by good friends, good conversation. I feel like hell, I look like shit, but we’re there nonetheless. The anticipation builds, but my moment doesn’t come. I get the tingles, but it’s not the same. It’s not the first time when it’s the second time. But that’s okay, I’ve still got my moment from the night before.

Ryan Shuck from Julien-K (Show #2 @ The Observatory in Costa Mesa, CA) – Image Courtesy of Beephobia

Just planning the trip gave me thrills. I knew I couldn’t afford it, neither of us could, but that’s never stopped me before. When it comes to them, very little can stop me. I’m drawn, I’m hooked. I knew I’d suffer when I got back. Physically, financially. I was aware, and I still put all my chips on the table.

Planning, paying, packing. All of it put the butterflies in my stomach. I’ve seen them tons of times. I’ve traveled thousands of miles to listen to the same songs I listen to at home. None of that mattered, I was going. I was ready for the experience. I was willing to pay whatever price they were asking. It was all worth it, tenfold because my best friend was by my side, making it all possible.

5 hour drive to spend less than 24 hours in Vegas. Turn right back around and head 5 hours straight to Orange County for show number 2. We were crazy. I don’t regret it.

2 shows, 2 nights, hundreds of miles, and one fuck of a hangover later… I’m still a little drunk on that moment. Thank you.

Myself and Ryan Shuck- Image courtesy of Scarlett Lee

Kony 2012

WHERE YOU LIVE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE ~Invisible Children

If you are one of the millions of people on Facebook or Twitter, no doubt you have seen this video “shared” or “retweeted”. Some of you have taken the time to watch the video, but many of you have not.

We live in a fast paced society these days, one where reaching out to someone takes seconds instead of days. Information is processed effortlessly and is always at your fingertips. A half hour to sit and pay attention to a video clip may seem daunting, but it’s nothing compared to the travesty going on in Uganda. So please, get yourself something to drink, maybe a snack, and watch the video I’ve embedded below.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

For those of you who just can’t bring yourself to watch it all the way through, I understand. I watched with a friend of mine last night, and I was thoroughly transfixed on the information I was being given. As soon as the 30 minutes was up, the first words out of my mouth were “I’m in.” Right then and there I knew I’d be writing this very post. What was it going to say? I didn’t plan that far ahead, but this post HAD to be made.

The information below I have gathered from Wikipedia. The specific pages will be linked at the bottom of this post, if you are interested in more information.

WHO IS JOSEPH KONY AND WHAT DOES HE DO?

Leader of the guerrilla army Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda. The LRA works for no cause other than for Kony’s power to hold fear over Africans. He builds his army in the most horrific of ways; he abducts children and forces them to fight and kill and strike terror on their families, friends, relatives.

The number of children he has abducted is estimated to be in the 30,000 range since 1986. These children are forced into truly senseless combat, killing innocent people because Kony believes God is telling him to. Their first kill is often their families. They are forced into sexual slavery. Young girls are abducted for “rewards” to his commanders. Night after night, children walk miles to city centers to avoid abduction. The children of Africa live in fear of the LRA, and then live in fear IN the LRA.

Kony is moving, swarming countries and areas near Uganda, getting stronger by the minute as he abducts more and more child soldiers and child slaves.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?

2001– After September 11, the United States declared the LRA a terrorist group.

2003– After visiting Uganda to document genocide in Darfur, three young filmmakers stumbled on large groups of children traveling to avoid capture by the LRA. Knowing they could not stand idle, the 3 film makers jumped into action and created a documentary about these children to gain awareness. The film was called Invisible Children. From the film stemmed a non-profit organization of the same name, dedicated to stopping Kony, the LRA, and helping victims.

2005– October 6th: The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for 5 key members of the LRA for crimes against humanity. Those members were Joseph Kony (Leader), Vincent Otti (Deputy), Raska Lukwiya (Commander), Okot Odiambo (Commander), and Dominic Ongwen (Commander).

2005– October 13th: Indictment details are released. Kony is indicted for 12 counts of Crimes Against Humanity (including murder, enslavement, sexual enslavement and rape), 21 counts of War Crimes (including murder, cruel treatment of civilians, intentionally directing an attack against a civilian population, pillaging, inducing rape, and forced enlistment of children). 33 counts total.

2009– Invisible Children Inc. organizes supporters to lobby senators and representatives to gain their support for the “Lords Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act”. This is the largest lobbying ever on sub-Saharan Africa to date. Organizations “Resolve Uganda” and “The Enough Project” supported Invisible Children in coordinating the event.

2009– November 18th: “Hometown Shakedown” is initiated by Invisible Children Inc. Supporters were asked to attend meetings with local government reps to co-sponsor the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. Hometown Shakedown succeeded in 15 members of Congress adding their support within 48 hours of the meetings. In the end 65 Senators and 202 Representatives would co-sponsor the Bill.

2010– May: President Barack Obama signed the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act into law. The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate on March 11, then unanimously again in the House of Representatives on May 13th.

2011– October: As apart of the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, President Obama authorized deployment of combat-equipped troops to provide assistance, information, and advice to regional African forces. Obama states in a letter to Congress that U.S troops “…will not themselves engage LRA forces unless necessary for self-defense”

When first approached after the 2003 documentary, United States officials originally told members of Invisible Children Inc. that they would do nothing, because it simply did not affect the best interests of our citizens. Invisible Children Inc. did not give up, and for the first time in history, the government took action, only because the people demanded it. They took action because it was RIGHT.

WHAT NOW?

Before this post was published, before the “retweets” and the Facebook “shares”, before the video was released, did you know who Joseph Kony was? Did you know about these Invisible Children? I didn’t. Most of you didn’t either.

The video embedded above is the latest campaign by Invisible Children Inc. to bring a stop to Joseph Kony and the LRA. The purpose?

IF THE WORLD KNOWS WHO JOSEPH KONY IS, IT WILL UNITE TO STOP HIM.
IT STARTS HERE.

KONY 2012 IS A FILM AND CAMPAIGN BY INVISIBLE CHILDREN THAT AIMS TO MAKE JOSEPH KONY FAMOUS, NOT TO CELEBRATE HIM, BUT TO RAISE SUPPORT FOR HIS ARREST AND SET A PRECEDENT FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE.

~Kony 2012 Website

People cannot stand up against what they are not aware of. People cannot fight a war they cannot see. People cannot support a cause they don’t know exists. People cannot save invisible children if they don’t become visible.

In December of 2011, it became known that Joseph Kony was aware of the U.S. involvement to stop the LRA. A young boy who had managed to risk his life and escape advised that Kony would be changing his tactics to avoid capture. His new tactics are unknown, and now international support is in danger of being withdrawn, allowing Kony to continue his rein of terror upon Africans.

Kony is out there. He needs to be stopped, arrested, and held accountable for his crimes. We need to save these children, these families, and help them build a future beyond being child slaves to a senseless army. 2012 has to be the end of the line for Kony and his child army.

In order for the government to continue to allow the troops in Uganda to stay, officials have to be aware that the people DO care and DO want our troops giving their support. How will the government know? We have to tell them. We have to make Kony a household name, his face needs to be plastered everywhere. The more you know about Kony, the more prepared people are to take a stand against him.

Invisible Children Inc. is campaigning for the support of 20 Culture Makers and 12 Policy Makers.

Celebrities have long decided the trends of our culture. What we wear, who we like, and what we talk about. If we target 20 of these celebrities, and get them on board, they’re voices will carry, and Kony and the fight against him will spread.

Politicians have no choice but to fight for what we want. They take the issues we care about, make a stand, and use this to get our votes. Regardless of political party, we need to target these politicians and policy makers and let them know that we want Kony stopped. Remind them that this is what the people want, and they will take notice, and help us keep support in Uganda, using every day and every opportunity to get closer to Kony and stopping him. The more we call, the more we trend, the more we spread the word, the louder these policy makers will hear us.

If we can trend lyrics to Justin Beiber songs, if we can trend internet memes by the dozen, if we can make videos of people dancing go viral, then we can make Joseph Kony and his child army a topic we won’t ever forget.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Step 1: Visit these websites and educate yourself. The more you know, the stronger you are.

• Kony 2012 – Sign the pledge
• Wikipedia for Joseph Kony
• Wikipedia for Invisible Children Inc.

Step 2: Visit these Facebook pages and “like” them, and “share” them with your friends list. Follow these people on Twitter.

• KONY 2012 Facebook
• Invisible Children Inc. Facebook
• Invisible Children Twitter Page

Step 3: Watch the video I’ve embedded above, and share it. Post it on Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, About.me, your blog, anywhere you can. Use #StopKony and #Kony2012 . The more people see this, the more curious they will be.

Step 4: When the list of 20 Culture Makers and 12 Policy Makers is released, target them. Tweet, DM, Wall Post, write letters, emails. And don’t stop at those 20/12 on the list. Contact your favorite celebrities, contact your local government representatives, get your friends involved. We need voices, we need to be loud.

Step 5: Visit the Invisible Children Shopify Store. Grab an action kit, or a bracelet, or a shirt, or just posters. Use these supplies to promote the cause.

You can also donate directly through StayClassy.com and for a minimum donation of $15 recurring monthly, you will receive an action kit for free.

The most important thing you can do is be dedicated to spreading the word. We cannot let Kony be forgotten, he can’t be a flash-in-the-pan trend. We need staying power.

2012 is the year that these Invisible Children will go home.