Journals : 2004 : August

3 August 2004 | Link this

I've been interviewed a number of time over the years and featured in several newspaper articles, but there's nothing quite like the reaction that comes when the hometown paper runs an article and picture of you on the front page. I got email from my fourth grade teacher to whom I haven't spoken since Nixon was still (barely) in the White House, ferchrissakes...

It was a nice article. Mom was happy. But, just for the record, I would NEVER say "I've gotten e-mails". As many of you know, I always use the CORRECT phrasing and say "I"ve gotten email MESSAGES"...

Now that we've covered me and grammar, let's get back to me, thanks. Those of you who are really concerned still have a week to select those last minute gifts for my 40th birthday. Not that I'm hinting or anything...

While I'm at it, those of you who might find yourself in the greater Los Angeles area this weekend are invited to drop by my semi-public birthday dinner at Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown LA (648 Broadway) Saturday 7 August at 7:30 PM. I don't really expect anyone to show up, but surprises are always welcome. I'm not buying dinner, so I'm obviously not a stickler for etiquette; thus, an RSVP is not required. However, if you want to let me know to look out for you, that would be cool...

3 August 2004 Later | Link this

Did I mention that I'm about to turn 40? Oh yeah, I did. Must be getting old...

Fortunately, Dan is older...

9 August 2004 | Link this

Just a few hours until I'm officially middle-aged. I should stay up all night getting drunk and listening to loud music or something, but I probably won't. Face it: on some level, I've been middle-aged since I was 12...

Thanks to all the folks who have sent early birthday greetings. We just got back from LA so I haven't had a chance to respond. Pictures and stuff soon...

10 August 2004 | Link this

That raging inferno is my birthday cake. Damn, I'm old...

On the other hand, I might not have had the wind to blow out 40 candles a year ago, back when I was still smoking...

12 August 2004 | Link this

I've got to be honest: despite the fact that it affects me personally, I'm having a really difficult time summoning a healthy amount of outrage about yeseterday's California Supreme Court ruling. Here's why:

The court had almost no choice but to rule the way it did. Gavin Newsom DID overstep his authority, and since the City and County of San Francisco ultimately had no authrority to perform these marriages, it was a near certainty that they would be ruled invalid.
The court was NOT ruling on the Constitutionality of same-sex marriage in general, but on the legality of San Francisco's implementation of it. In other words, the opinon did not state that banning same-sex marriage is OK, but that it is NOT OK for municipalities to decide for themselves what is and is not Constitutional, and which laws they will or will not abide by.

Ultimately, I believe that the California -- or US -- Supreme Court WILL rule that a ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, and I believe that this will be the correct decision. Hell, even the opponents believe this, which is why they're trying to mutilate the Constitution with an amendment...

But yesterday's ruling in Sacramento had nothing to do with any of this. We engaged in civil disobedience. We knew it, the mayor knew it, and just about everyone else knew it. The very nature of civil disobedience is that it involves violating the law in an attempt to draw attention to the problems with that law. By definition, there are also legal consequences, and I sort of brsitle at the the idea of people who knowingly broke the law to make a statement becoming upset at being told that we did in fact break the law. That was sort of the point, wasn't it?

All in all, we did a good thing. Gavin Newson did a good thing. But it wasn't legal. Not yet. The court was correct. And that's why I didn't feel compelled to march nor to feel too terribly outraged just based on this particular decision. It's slow and tedious, but that's how the legislative and judicial process works. And generally it DOES work. Eventually...

Unrelated: I decided to post the notes I've been keeping about our Dish Network Dish DVR 510 nightmare. Read this page if you're thinking of getting one...

19 August 2004 | Link this

25 August 2004 | Link this

In less than 24 hours, I'll be in Hawaii. Who saw that coming?

Apologies for the lack of updates lately and all, but I've just been too busy. If it makes you feel any better, I haven't sent my aunt in North Carolina a "thank you" card yet either...