Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Boggy Muggy Pedgy

So clinic today was quite a circus, which I guess is becoming the norm around here. It actually wasn't quite AS bad as it has been lately, but bad enough. Still a lot of yelling, some chanting, some Jesus all up in everyone's grill. I had two new escorts starting today, and they both seem like they will come back, so I guess we have to count our blessings.

I'm still adjusting to being back, or maybe I'm just adjusting to being busier than usual. I have a lot of stuff on the go right now. Most notably this AWESOME FESTIVAL that you should all come to/participate in. Yes.

Let's see, who was out today? Well I definitely saw a lot of Lady in Red. She really does wear that same red outfit every week. At first I thought she just had a monochromatic wardrobe, like one of our awesome escorts, but then I realized that it is the exact same outfit. Does she have this special outfit she wears just for protesting? Or does she have a closet full of the same outfit, Inspector Gadget-style?

We had no cop this week. Nothing major happened (as far as I know - escorts, fill me in, in comments!) except one of the patients' friends yelled some choice curse words at the protesters. Always awesome.

It is hot as balls out there, and not in a pleasant way. In a repulsive, sticky way. So you know, not awesome, but not rain.

This article came my way today from Feminists for Choice - it's an interview with Gloria Feldt, the former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. You should check it out. I might be doing a guest blog for them in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Pedge Returns

Hello friends. I am well aware that I haven't blogged for a couple weeks. It is because I have been having an AWESOME TIME on VACATION!

I'm back now, however, and while I am still sort of getting back on track with life in general, I will be blogging again soon (probably this week). There's no clinic today, but I'm sure I have lots of news to catch up on in the world of abortion. And I have some choice-related stuff to share. And I know that last week's clinic was a doozy, so if any escorts care to share anything in comments, that would be awesome.

So yeah. I'm back.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Storm's a-brewin'

Tuesday's clinic was in keeping with the tone lately: the weather was gloomy, and the protesters were out in full force. And I mean full force. Earpiece Charlie was back for the first time in AGES - maybe like a year. Lady in Red was carrying a baby doll with a sign around its neck; I couldn't read the sign but I can guess what it said.

SL had to go out a couple times and give out letters telling the protesters to stop staring in our windows. That really gets me; at how many other jobs would people be expected to put up with people staring in their office windows? It is harrassment, plain and simple. I always wonder about protesters who are still convinced they are out there to help people. How can they be so deluded?

SL also called the cops at one point. They came, and the officer just parked his car in the lane and sat and watched them. It was excellent to have him there, I have to say. Suzie Ryan was out with her big fetus sign, and she stayed after the escorts left, even after all the other protesters had gone in. But the cop stayed as long as she did, which was excellent. It's good not to bother the police too often, but it's also good that the protesters know that we're not afraid to call them.

I had a couple friends visiting briefly - two top-notch feminist pro-choice activist types. I convinced them to extend their stay to Tuesday so they could check out the gong show in front of the clinic. They even went into the Mother and Child Welcome House! I have yet to hear the details of how that went, but it was fun to see the reaction when they went next door; the whole place was abuzz and a bunch of the protesters went in to talk to them - including Crazy Legs and the Mad Chatter. See, we can be sneaky too - take that, Lila Rose.

There was some graffiti on the clinic last week, but it was very small and faint and it's hard to get upset about someone who can't even spell "murder" correctly. Just sayin'.

I have to say, shout out to our awesome volunteers. Clinic escorts are heroes. You guys put up with so much crap, and you are always decent about it. I don't know if you realize how much the patients and the staff appreciate your presence. Thank you.