A Tenner

1. Voices of the Year submissions are open at Blogher. You should think about submitting a piece by you or someone you love. This "Community Keynote" is always my favorite part of the conference.

2. An excerpt (with link to the full piece) of a woman's decision to speak out about her abortion because she couldn't stand the split narrative being offered to her. What if she didn't regret it forever OR not regret it at all?

3. I really think we need more public transportation in the US. Trains specifically.

4. You usually hear stories about a comedian doing a joke and getting slammed for it so hard it becomes an internet-wide debate on his or her job description. This story is different.

5. Great story about rescuing a cat from Afghanistan. It's certainly possible to read it and think about ways in which the money could have been better spent but it's also nice to remember that sometimes you have to do something even when it doesn't make any sense.

6. I don't have a link but it should be noted here that Maryland upheld its Breed Specific Legislation which asserts that pitbulls are inherently dangerous and therefore can be discriminated against. This is leading to the break up of families and the deaths of sweet, well-trained family members. I believe they are the only state to have such a bill covering the entire state rather than specific municipalities.

7. In solidarity with furloughed workers certain high level civil servants, like the president, are returning 5% of their salaries to the US Treasury. There is a lot of room for debate as to the effectiveness of this gesture. Have at it if you like.

8. This gif of a cat requesting ear scritches may very well turn your whole day around. I hope so.

9. Soon after Sandy hit our area I'm sure I linked to Mike D's food truck giving out free meals in the Rockaways to people trying to survive and rebuild. They're still giving away meals but working to transition to being paid for meals and being staffed by people native to the Rockaways. Just a reminder, you know, that the damage isn't fixed yet. Not by a long shot.

10. NJ is on a path to ban those idiotic gay conversion therapy scams. That would be pretty rad. Not to mention smart.

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The New York City Listen To Your Mother Show is happening on May 12, 2013 at 5pm at Symphony Space. Ticket and venue information can be found here. I hope to see you there! If you aren't close to this show please check this site to see if there is a LTYM show near you.