What do Margie Palmer and Brett Favre have in common? Neither actually retired and, now, they’re both playing for different teams.

I suppose comparing me to one of the greatest NFL players of all time might be a stretch – but when it comes to certain aspects of our professional careers, there’s certainly an argument to be made with regards to our few similarities. For one, we both realized we had a little too much free time on our hands and had given up something pretty amazing.

When Favre decided to get back into the game, Green Bay quickly traded the three-time MVP to the New York Jets.

When I decided to get back into the game, I realized my column needed a new place to call home. So let it be known this is more then just a cameo appearance, because I’m now a full-fledged columnist for the Gay & Lesbian Times. Although I’m not sporting a new team jersey (not that I ever wore one before), and although I haven’t signed any sort of multimillion dollar contract (not that I wouldn’t be completely open to that option), the fact of the matter is: much like Favre, I may have been a little too hasty in jumping into retirement. And after careful evaluation of the new coaching duties, it became pretty apparent that amidst whipping all my novice rowers into race shape, I’ll still have more then ample time to ramble on about whatever seems to be striking me when my bi-weekly deadline looms.

Writing is, and will likely always, be a large part of what makes me me. It’s what I love to do, what I want to do, and what I will continue to want to do well into my golden years. Besides, I’m in good company here at the GLT; and if Nicole Murray-Ramirez is still keeping it real with a column, then there’s no reason that this queen in training can’t do the same.

So, why the GLT (or the “guilt,” as some like to phonetically enunciate the abbreviation)? Some may speculate that the boys in the office needed a part-time lesbian mascot, in light of the recent conflagration between the paper and some (read: some) members of WomenMoto (to whom I’d like to extend a warm “shout-out” to for their excessive … I mean, continued, weekly letters). Friends and I have truly enjoyed reading all the letters. In fact, they can often be turned into a drinking game: we all take a drink every time we read the word misogynist in a letter.

But I digress.

I’ve landed solidly at the GLT and can say with all assurance I’m happy to be here.

In my newfound tenure with the GLT, I find myself in a place where strong opinions are welcomed, passionate dialogue is a part of the daily routine, and challenging the status quo in an effort to make the world a better place is a mantra.

With the new bi-weekly spot, and the new and improved moniker “Life or Something Like It,” I look forward to writing in the same type of “anything goes” format which I have grown oh so fond of during the years. And with my new pseudo-staffer status, I have the privilege of working with an office full of queens … I mean, intelligent, talented, passionate individuals whom I love and respect.

At the end of the day not a whole lot has changed for Favre or I. We’re both still very much in the game, we both still get to be able to do what we love and, most of all, we’re both stoked about having a shiny new place to call home.