28 October 2006

From the "Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm Department"--the fun fact inside the cap of my Snapple bottle: "Beavers were once the size of bears."

One dollar goes to the person who uses this as a pick-up line at a bar.

25 October 2006

I admit it. I had visions of legally saying "I Do" with the girl on the beach at Margate or Stone Harbor in NJ. But the New Jersey Supreme Court decided today to let the State Legislature decide on gay marriage.

There was real hope that the relatively liberal state would join Massachusetts and allow us to legally wed there--and with NO residency requirements. And although I'm disappointed--I think letting the legislature (aka the PEOPLE) decide is the right thing to do. Remember the backlash in Massachusetts when gay marriage was decreed by "judicial fiat?" Gay marriage bans sprung up--and won--in several states the very next election. People think it's unfair and undemocratic. Imagine the backlash with it happening in a tight midterm election (the GOP is already trying to whip up the base on this decision.) The good news is the NJ Supreme Court is giving the legislature 180 days to figure out a way to give gay couples the same rights as straight couples--and I hope (and assume) they'll do the right thing.

I thought this excerpt from the decision really cuts to the heart of the issue:

"The issue is not about the transformation of the traditional definition of marriage, but about the unequal dispensation of benefits and privileges to one of two similarly situated classes of people."

Amen!

24 October 2006

Had a great weekend in Charlottesville at the girl's best friend's wedding. The ceremony was at a beautiful vineyard just outside the town at sunset. The bride (and MY bride, for that matter) were drop dead gorgeous. The groom, handsome. The vows were surprisingly "avante garde." No mention of obeying and "man and wife" stuff. The officiant (a woman, whose name was "Frankee Love"--seriously) made a point of saying several times that it was a joining of "two people." There also lots of talk about--not only their love for each other--but also the fact that they are "best friends." It was quite heartwarming. The reception was inside the vineyard--the food and wine were great, as was the company. Lots of drinking and dancing and being silly. (The girl and I even took a turn on the dance floor in a "slow dance" when the DJ asked for all married couples to take the floor.) The best part was I knew a lot of the girl's friends--but now I feel got much closer to them. (I can send pics of the wedding if anyone's interested. Just let me know.)

The drive home was beautiful, too--we took part of the Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah Mountains. It was peak foliage this past weekend, so the views were spectacular. It's beautiful country--but the traffic in Northern Virginia was absolutely horrific--even on a Sunday afternoon.

24 October 2006

Fighting a cold. Lost my metro card. I'm out of the office football pool. It's cold and blustery outside.

BUT--I have a smile on my face because tonight is the annual "high heel" race. It's that annual ritual when hundreds of DC's most fabulous drag queens "race" (more like "saunter and sashay") down 17th Street to the delight of passersby. Gays, straights, politicians, TV stations, all line up both sides of the street for the annual parade.

My boyfriends are getting ready at a salon on 17th Street where we're all gathering in a few hours to cheer them on. Pictures will be posted tomrorow.