Sunday, November 30, 2008

Seattle Marathon

I had a great time today running the Seattle Marathon.

The course started at the Seattle Center and then ran down 5th Ave right past my office. I've been meaning to share this picture of my office that I took a few weeks ago - what better time. No I am not one of those annoying people that carry a cameras with them as they run and stop right in front of you to take a picture!

From there we ran across I-90 to Mercer Island and then back to Seward Park. Kent took the following pictures as I ran.

From there we ran a long Lake Washington to Madison Park through the Arboretum and then back to the Seattle Center. I finished with a time of 4:05 which I am satisfied.

It was a great day for a run in Seattle - overcast and mild. This is a picture of the medal for today's race.

I made my goal of completing three marathons this year. I ran the Yakima Canyon Run, Lake Chelan Marathon and now Seattle. Next year my goal is to run 4 marathons. I am mapping out the one's I want to run now. I will run one international run and one out of state and two in Washington. The Seattle Marathon has been on my list of Marathon to run for years and for various reason I've never ran it until this year. I have to say for such a large marathon, it was very well organized and the support along the way was frequent and friendly! If you are looking for a marathon run and have not done Seattle I recommend it!

Kent and I went out for a bite to eat afterwards and then home where I finished putting up the Christmas lights and put the wreath on the car for the holidays.
Thanks for all the well wishes today - I appreciate it!

Later -

Jim

Seattle Marathon Morning

It's Sunday morning on the day of the Seattle Marathon and I am getting ready to head down for to the starting line. I am hoping to finish in about 4 hours or so. Come on down and cheer me on!


Looks like good weather - cloudy and a mild 53 degrees. I'll check in later today.

Have a good one -

Jim

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Our Boy Toby and more!

Today we had our friends Jay and Jennifer and their daughter Olivia over for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a very relaxing day and a great dinner. I thought I would share a few pictures before I head off to bed. Believe it or not I did not end up taking any pictures Kent and I or our guests! I did manage to take several of our boy Toby in his new Thanksgiving outfit.


Is he not the sweetest boy ever! I'll have to do an entire post dedicated to Toby and the story of how we came to adopt him. He's the best dog and so smart! Right now I am teaching him to dance!

This is a picture of the place setting - I love hosting Thanksgiving dinner.



This is a picture of our living room - notice the new pumpkin pillow that I picked up from Romanza Gifts when I was there the other day to get one of the candles that John had recommended. I love it!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that you get a lot of rest tonight for the day of shopping tomorrow! Thanks Jay, Jennifer and Olivia for coming up and for spending your Thanksgiving with us - we had a great time. We are grateful to have you guys in our lives.

Later -

Jim

Happy Thanksgiving!

What better day to pick - "We are Family" as the retro song of the day!




Enjoy thic classic on Thanksgiving day!

(CHORUS:)
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing

Ev'ryone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose

(CHORUS x2)

Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
(WE!) no we don't get depressed
Here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won't go wrong
This is our family Jewel

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! I love getting together with family and friends, making a big meal, perusing through the paper looking for all the sales to hit the next day and reflecting on all the things we have to be thankful for over the past year. I hope whatever you do today, whoever you spend the holiday with, that you take the time remember the people and things in your life that you are thankful for.


Chances are if you are reading this blog post - you are one of the people I am thankful for and I wish you the very best! Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we are enjoying a meal with our friends Jennifer and Jay and their daughter Olivia. We decided to stay close to home since I have the marathon on Sunday. I'll post a few pictures later in the day.

Have a good one -

Jim

Monday, November 24, 2008

Pus and a Smile Line

I've got to caution you , if you are easily grossed out - STOP READING NOW! This is one of those posts that Kent would say had "too much information".

Two things you never want to hear in the same sentence - Pus and a smile line. Until today I had not even heard the term smile line. As I mentioned in my earlier post I had to make an emergency dentist appointment today. I've been having a problem with a tooth for a few days and today I went in for a appointment.

I'm not sure what to do -it all happened so fast! I'm sitting is the dental chair and the dentist tells me after taking ex-rays that the issue is beyond her experience. Then in the next breath she is talking about pulling the tooth and implants and bridges. It's when the dental hygienist says "I've got to leave for lunch in 30 minutes so if we are going to pull a tooth we need to get going" that I put a stop to everything.

I've had a dental crisis going on for awhile now. When I lived and worked in Olympia I had the greatest Dentist and dental Hygienist in the world. I actually liked going to get my teeth cleaned so I could catch up with the "girls". It got harder and harder to get to appointments in Olympia so I decided to try a new Dentist. Big - big mistake. I found an office and made an appointment and each time I've been back I've seen a different dentist! Never leave a great dentist.! I'm going back!


So here it is the day before Thanksgiving and I've got an infected tooth and a decision to make. I decided to get a second opinion. I called my former dentist in Olympia and plan to have her give me her opinion before I decide what to do. In the mean time the antibiotic and the pain killer should get me through.

If anyone has experience or opinions on the bridge vs. implant, I'd love to hear from you.

I'll keep you posted -

Jim

Full, Full Weekend

I had a few pictures that I wanted to share from this past weekend. Kent and I always pack way too much into the limited time we have on the weekend and it always goes by way to fast. It never fails that each Sunday afternoon Kent says to me - "I wish it were Saturday". Time flies!

It's nearly 300 miles to drive from our house to Pullman. That's a long way to drive for a football game. We left on Friday night and drove to Wenatchee where we stayed with Kent's Mom where we went to dinner with she and her friend Harriet.(our third Mom)!


Kent's Mom Sylvia


Our third Mom Harriet.

We had to leave pretty early the next day to arrive in time of the game. This picture was taken with my iPhone of the sunrise. It was a nice drive.

I won't even go into the game as I've already covered that in earlier posts but here are a few pictures from the event. Despite the loss, we had a really good time. We left the game and drove home after a bite to eat in Ellensburg and arrived home around 10 pm.

Painted Husky boys before the game began!

Cool new Cougar statue at WSU

Cold Cougar boys before the game!

Martin Stadium.

Thanks for all the text messages from all my Cougar friends rubbing in the loss!

I had my final training run for the Seattle Marathon first thing Sunday morning. If you are around Seattle next Sunday and you want to come cheer me on I could always use the support! The run was a short 8 miles as I am in the great taper phase of training at this time!

Kent took the opportunity to put up the Christmas lights since it was such a nice day. We have a tradition of making sure the lights are up and ready to turn on from the day after Thanksgiving and then light things up until New Years Eve. Lights come down New Years Day.


Believe it or not here in the Pacific Northwest it's still not too late to plant fall bulbs! I've been known to plant through mid December. Bulbs are super cheep at this time of year most are on close out 50-75% off. I took the opportunity to plant several containers full of tulips that will be beautiful in the spring. Remember when it comes to fall bulbs - size does matter! And in the world of tulips, it's all measured in the circumference of the bulb. This is where the energy is stored for next year's bloom. The bigger the bulb (in circumference), the bigger the bloom. So, when you buy tulip bulbs you get what you pay for. If you want the biggest, best blooms, look for quality, name brand large bulbs.






We did bit more yard work and then headed out for a very late lunch and then to see the new animated movie BOLT.
Since we got a dog we are into any dog movie. We even went to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua. While I would not recommend Beverly Hill Chihuahua - I would definitely recommend BOLT.

Off to see the dentist today - had to make an emergency appointment due to a toothache.

Have a good one -

Jim

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Huskies lose Apple Cup in double overtime!

It's official - the Huskies are better than the Cougars at being the worst team in college football! Despite the loss and pretty much assuring that the Dawgs will have a big fat zero when it comes to wins, we had a great time! It's been our goal to get to all the Pac-10 stadiums so getting to Martin stadium leaves only three to go, Oregon State, Arizona and UCLA.

The weather was perfect today. It was cloudy until game time and then the sun came out for the rest of the game. It was also fun to be at a game that kept your attention until the bitter end!

Headed home tonight.

Later -

Jim

Made it to the Palouse!

Made it to the campus with lots of time to wonder around. It's a nice campus with a very small town feel. Very easy to get around since everything is so close. Cougars have been friendly, bookstore is nice. I did spot a camouflage WSU baseball hat....LOL, only at WAZZU!
The weather is cold but nice, looks like the rain has moved out.

More later -

Go Dawgs!

Game Day Routine!

We are so predictable. We have a very specific routine before every game we attend whether we are playing at home or on the road. Without fail we watch (if we are playing at home) or listen to (if we are playing on the road) College Game Day on ESPN. We always deck out the truck for the game - looks like a big drag truck by the time we put our flags on with the purple and gold pompoms, the big purple W in the back window and the magnetic W on the tailgate! Truth be told - it's more fun to deck out the truck earlier in the season before we are 0-10!

We always stop at Cow Chip Cookies and pick up a big old cookie which we eat in the first 5 minutes of arriving at our seats - no earlier and no later! Then we both complain that we are full and getting fat and vow not to pick up cookies for the next game only to repeat the routine for the next game!

We always allow enough time to get to the stadium with time to go to the college bookstore regardless if we are playing at home or away. If we are playing at home we go tailgate with our friends Vel and Mario and then head over to hear the band play and watch the cheer squad. If we are playing an away game we usually go to the pregame party and give time to explore the campus and of course visit the bookstore.

With the exception of the USC game, we stay at the game into the bitter end! When we played Arizona State at home and lost so badly, Kent and I were the only two left in our section!

There is much to be said about routine!

Later -

Jim

Game Day!

I am going to try a first! Adding posts throughout the day from my iPhone ( the iPhone gets it's own post soon - I LOVE it!) It looks like there is light rain in Pullman right now but we just went through Quincy and the sunrise is beautiful! Hopefully the good weather is traveling with us! Either way we are fully prepared! We left extra early today as we have conflicting information about how long it will take us to get there. Stay tuned for updates throughout the day. I apologize in advance for any typos and formatting issues, it''s hard to edit on this small screen.

Go Dawgs!

Friday, November 21, 2008

It's Apple Cup Weekend!

It's been one crappy football season for the Huskies! The only good news is that the Cougars have had an even worse year and we are actually favored to win this game! This could be - I say - could be - the only Husky win of the season. I don't want to get my hopes up anything can happen in the Apple Cup!

I don't want to get my hopes up - but, between to really bad teams - this year the Huskies really are the better bad team! Kent and I are heading out this afternoon after work to Pullman for our first Apple Cup in Pullman. Last year we lost to the Cougars here at Husky stadium - hopefully we can return the favor!


We have been slowly making our way to each of the Pack-10 stadiums, new this year was USC, Oregon and finally Martin Stadium in Pullman. Smallest stadium in the Pac-10. Looking forward to a road trip and a win!

Have a good one - Go Dawgs!

Jim

Thursday, November 20, 2008

It's a Big Day! Belated Blog-a-Birthday's and Gift Ideas!

I've got so much to add that I don't' even know where to start! I've heard from blogger's that problem with having a blog is keeping it up and finding new things to post. I never seem to have that problem! In fact I am always behind and have several saved posts waiting!

First a little story - by now you all know that Kent and I have been together for 11 years. Well as with any relationship when you get together, each side brings it's own set of friends. When couples get together each brings a handful of very close friends. Some fall off and some become "our" friends......ladies and gentlemen - I give you our friends Vince and John!


There's a handful of people in your lives that you know you will always be connected with despite the frequency in which you see them. Vince and John are two of those people. We've got more stories of good times and adventures with these two than I can tell - parties, auctions, river rafting, Las Vegas, Walla Walla, Cher in one of her final farewell concerts, Lake Chelan........you get the point. Unfortunately as we have all gotten busier we have not seen as much of these guys! We miss them a lot and regardless of how long it's been since visiting we get together and it's like we have never been a part.

This week Vince and John both celebrated birthdays! Vince on Monday and John yesterday! Please join me in wishing them a happy, happy, blog-a-birthday! This Disc Ball - Cupcake Tower goes out to both Vince and John but is dedicated to DJ Disco Vinnie - Check it out!



I've been posting gift suggestions periodically on the blog and finally - just in time for the holiday season - it's time to visit Romanza Gifts! Vince and John opened this store several years ago and have since added a second store in Walla Walla. Anything you buy in this store will be treasured and their selection of local wines are fantastic! I'm not just biased because these guys are friends - they have GREAT taste and a good eye for "just the right gift"! Check out their website and find out how to visit their stores in person in Ballard or Walla Walla or shop online. Great site, great gifts!

I was recently sent an email about shopping locally for the holiday season (which is still waiting to be posted) by our friend Kendra and Vince was recently on the local news interviewed about the state of the economy and the impact on local business. Local and small businesses are a vital part of the economy and need your support this holiday season!

John sent me an email yesterday with two offers not to pass up on! Romanza Gifts will ship to anyone for only 5$ that mentions my blog (Ground Cover) when you order on-line at Romanzagifts.com. Take full advantage of this! Hint - if you are shopping for me this holiday season, this is the place to shop!

Not to just pass over Thanksgiving - Check these candles out available now at Romanza.



John sent a note telling me I would LOVE these candles - and he's right! This is a link that will take you right to Roasted Chestnut one of the most popular! A rich blend of golden caramel, rum and crushed chestnuts layered with cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and sheer musk.

You can not go wrong with a candle from their store!

Wow - I told you this was a big day! You can expect more gift ideas and postings as we get closer to the holidays!

Okay - late for work now!

Have a good one -

Jim

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Breaking News - California court to review Prop 8

Thankfully we have the law on our side! The right is right when they warn that "it's only a matter of time"!

By BOB EGELKOSAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

The state Supreme Court plunged back into the same-sex marriage wars today, agreeing to decide the legality of a ballot measure that repealed the right of gay and lesbian couples to wed in California.

At the urging of both sponsors and opponents of Proposition 8, the justices voted 6-1 to grant review of lawsuits challenging the Nov. 4 initiative, with Justice Joyce Kennard dissenting.
However, the court refused, 6-1, to let same-sex marriages resume while it considers Prop. 8's constitutionality. Justice Carlos Moreno cast the dissenting vote.


Approved by 52 percent of voters, Prop. 8 restored the definition of marriage - a union of a man and a woman - that the court had overturned May 15. Both Kennard and Moreno were in the majority of that 4-3 ruling.

In its order today, the court asked for arguments on whether Prop. 8, if constitutional, would nullify 18,000 same-sex marriages performed between when the ruling took effect in mid-June and Nov. 4. Attorney General Jerry Brown, who will defend Prop. 8 as the state's chief lawyer, contends those marriages are legal, but sponsors of the initiative disagree.

The justices asked for written arguments to be submitted by Jan. 15. The court could hold a hearing as early as March, with a ruling due 90 days later.

If the court had dismissed the suits, they could have been refiled in a county Superior Court, where most cases begin. They could still have reached the state's high court, but only after appeals that might have taken years.

The lawsuits that the court agreed to review were filed by two groups of same-sex couples, a gay-rights organization and a group of local governments led by the city of San Francisco. Civil rights, religious and feminist organizations have since filed separate suits challenging Prop. 8 that the justices may add to their docket.

All the suits argue that Prop. 8, drafted as a state constitutional amendment, makes such drastic changes that it amounts to a revision of the Constitution.

Unlike constitutional amendments, which can qualify for the ballot with signatures on initiative petitions, revisions can be placed on the ballot only by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature or a state constitutional convention.

The state's high court has defined a constitutional revision as a fundamental change in government structure and has struck down only two initiatives as revisions. The last time was in 1991, when the court overturned provisions of a measure that would have required California courts to follow federal standards on criminal defendants' rights rather than relying on the state Constitution to grant broader rights.

Opponents of Prop. 8 argue that it is a revision because it deprives a historically persecuted minority of fundamental rights and leaves courts powerless to intervene. A ruling upholding the measure would leave any minority group vulnerable to repeal of its rights by majority vote, the lawsuits argue.

Supporters of Prop. 8 say it is merely a constitutional amendment restoring the traditional definition of marriage and leaves the structure of state government unaffected. They contend a ruling overturning the measure would strike a blow at the people's power to change their Constitution by initiative.

In today's order, the court said it would also consider whether Prop. 8 violates the constitutional separation of powers. That was an apparent reference to opponents' arguments that the initiative interferes with judges' authority to apply the constitutional guarantee of equal rights.
In its 4-3 ruling legalizing same-sex marriages, the court said California's ban on such unions - enacted by the Legislature in 1977 and reaffirmed by the voters in 2000 - violated gays' and lesbians' right to marry the partner of their choice and to be free of arbitrary discrimination.
The court also said laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation are presumed to be unconstitutional, in the same category as bias based on race or sex. That part of the ruling is unaffected by Prop. 8.


The lead case in today's order is Strauss vs. Horton, S168047.
San Francisco Chronicle Reporter Bob Egelko can be reached at
begelko@sfchronicle.com

Time for a little fun!

The blog has been so serious that I thought I would break it up a bit with a little "Dancing Queen"! The following clip has both the original ABBA and scenes from the movie Mamma Mia that was released this past summer. This was a fun, fun Movie! It's going to be released on 12/16/2008 on DVD and Blu-ray. If you've not seen it go our and rent it or but it when it's released. It would make a great Christmas gift!



"Dancing Queen"

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave them burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...

You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen

I've added this as the retro song of the day as well - so sit back watch/listen and sing out loud!

Have a good one -

Jim

Monday, November 17, 2008

Redding California Rally

My Mom and her friend Lynn participated in the rally in Redding California this last Saturday and sent me these pictures that I wanted to share. Way to go!


Thanks for taking the time to be a part of this and make a difference!
Love you both -
Jim

Rally Pictures

Here are a few pictures from the Seattle Rally on Saturday that I wanted to share.







The fight for our rights will continue! Thanks again for all those who joined us in this day of protest. I saw or heard from several of you!
Later -
Jim

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Happy 11th Anniversary to us!

Busy day between a 20 mile training run for the Seattle Marathon in 2 weeks and getting home late last night due to a 7:15 Husky football game (we lost of course). I am so done talking about Husky football. Thank God basketball has started!

Today is our 11th anniversary! We are headed out to a movie and then to dinner. We went on our first date at a restaurant in north Seattle called Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon. Best Chinese food in Seattle! We go back all the time - but each year on November 16th we always return for dinner at the place that it all began.

True storey (I'm sure Kent will bring it up tonight) - on our first "official" date at Judy Fu's about half way through dinner I looked at Kent and said - "This is not going very well, is it?" In typical Kent fashion without missing a beat he said - "Oh - really, I think it's going pretty well!" It was about then that I decided that I would go on a second date with this guy!

We tell this storey to the restaurant staff each year we go back. This year I am taking the camera and taking pictures of both the restaurant and our favorite people there - Dave (the owner) and Andrew our favorite waiter! Two really great people! If you have never been to The Snappy Dragon it's a must! Not only is the food terrific but the staff are wonderful!

I will be posting pictures of the march from yesterday. It was an incredible experience with over 6000 people marching in Seattle. My Mom participated in Redding, CA as did her friend Lynn who also has a gay son Tyler who lives in New York.

Long story but I did not have a sign to carry although I designed one. I'll tell more about that later but the picture below is the sign that I designed to carry.


Thanks for all the emails of support and the number of hits to the site - it's been incredible.

Off to the movies and dinner!

Later - Jim

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Same-sex marriage has change on its side

Saturday, November 15, 2008


By
ROBERT L. JAMIESON JR.P-I COLUMNIST

A SURVEY several years ago found that one out of two Christian marriages implode in divorce. By my math, if Christians spent more time focusing on their own unions -- and less railing against gays and lesbians who want to marry -- our city, state and nation would live happily ever after.

Religious bigots are roadblocks to gays and lesbians showing love in the same joyous ritual enjoyed by heterosexuals. Evangelicals have spent millions to "protect" traditional marriage and have gone so far as to threaten boycotts of corporate giants such as Microsoft Corp., a supporter of gay rights.

Extremists in the pew, though, have allies among folks who ought to know better: the African-American community, which fought long and hard for civil rights in the face of virulent racism.

I recently went to a Seattle gathering where a group of middle-aged black men were shooting the breeze. Gay and lesbian marriage came up. The men -- bus drivers, city workers, football coaches and churchgoers -- spewed about same-sex unions. They invoked such words as "queer" and "funny business" and used unprintable slurs.

Shocked, I railed against their ignorance. One of the men turned to me and said, "Boy, are you one of them?"

"Sure," I shot back, "if by them you mean fellow human beings."

I should have pointed out that their hate sounded just like the vitriol of anti-miscegenation laws that once prevented whites and blacks from saying, "I do."

Blacks -- along with Hispanics -- were overcome by a similar amnesia and homophobia, and helped fuel California Proposition 8's triumph Election Day. The Proposition bans same-sex weddings.

Clearly, the measure won because a white majority -- including the Mormon Church, which funded 40 percent of the campaign -- voted for it. People of color could have turned that tide.

The argument is often made that the struggle for gay rights shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as the civil rights movement -- that gay people can hide sexual orientation while people of color cannot cloak their skin. This back-and-forth is corrosive to the human cause we all should be championing -- equal rights.

It is sickening -- measuring contests about whose woe is worse.
In the wake of Prop 8, which won 52.5 percent of the vote, people are rising up. In Seattle on Saturday, gays and lesbians are joining forces with civil rights advocates for a march and protest.

I applaud them. Each step against intolerance is a step in the right direction -- toward a time and place where people aren't legislating love out of hate.

Saturday night in Seattle, the ACLU will take another step when it honors two brave young people.

Growing up, Ian Feis suffered a barrage of ignorance. He was pushed, shoved and tripped on the school bus and school hallways -- even though for some time he was not openly gay. His house was egged. His mailbox, burned. He complained to a principal; school brass suggested he change schools.

Feis eventually responded by helping start, in 2006, the Gay/Straight Alliance Club at Mount Vernon High to fight homophobia. But when he later proposed an educational event called "Over the Rainbow," the principal and superintendent lost their spines. Feis pressed on. The event -- featuring a job fair, documentary and workshops -- opened hearts and minds.

The second award recipient took on a bully I've challenged before -- the Rev. Ken Hutcherson of the Eastside's Antioch Bible Church. Hutcherson in April brought his "prayer warriors" to Mount Si High in Snoqualmie to protest the school's Day of Silence. Part of a national movement, students stay mum to symbolize the harassment of gay, lesbian and transgender youths.

Caitlin Donnelly, 18, a leader of Mount Si's Gay/Straight Alliance was pressured to cancel the event. She didn't, instead urging students to respond with dignity and maturity to protesters. Inside the school hundreds of students wore tie-dyed bracelets and spoke only if called on. Others offered a respectful counterprotest by wearing red, white and blue shirts, or ones that said "Straight Pride."

Administrators were proud of students' responses. The real troublemakers weren't the kids -- just those Bible-thumping loudmouths outside.
Young people such as Donnelly and Feis -- along with Saturday's marchers -- are on the vanguard of change that will come court decision-by-court decision, vote-by-vote, step-by-step.

Same-sex marriage is inevitable. It just takes time. That's how change came after the civil rights push and now look: A black man is going to the White House.

PROTEST/MARCH INFORMATION

WHAT: Nationwide protest against California's Proposition 8
WHERE: Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave. E., Seattle
WHEN: Saturday at 10:30 a.m.; rally begins at noon, march to Westlake Center follows; speeches, rally at Westlake follow at 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION:
http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

P-I columnist Robert L. Jamieson Jr. can be reached at 206-448-8125 or robertjamieson@seattlepi.com.

Hope to see you at the rally!

Jim

Friday, November 14, 2008

Blog - a - Birthday Wish to Our Friend Barb!

Before I get to the blog-a-birthday wish for today - thank you! I've been contacted by so many people that I've had a hard time keeping up with the emails! I've had a record number of visits to my blog in a 24 hour period of over 300 people! Thank for those of you that have sent my blog address to your email lists. Please - please get involved this Saturday!

Now on to something much less political and a lot more fun! A blog-a- birthday wish to our friend Barb! Happy, Happy Birthday Barb!

This picture was taken in 2004 outside of Charlottesville Virgina following Barb's graduation from medical school at the University of Virginia.

Barb is the daughter of our friends Diane and Buzz. She lives in Portland and recently completed her residency. Kent and I have shared a lot of great times with Barb over the years and wish you could all know her. She is one of the nicest, smartest and considerate friend we have! One of my favorite memories is Barb eating cake in Atlantic City - just wait, there will be a posting of that picture Barb!

Please join me in wishing Barb a wonderful , wonderful, blog - a - birthday!

Miss you Barb and hope to see you soon -

Jim and Kent

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Caution - Lots and lots of F words!

Most of you know from reading my blog that for the most part I'm pretty PG about the whole thing. I want anyone from my nieces and nephews, godchildren, parents, in laws, and siblings to visit and not be offended. (I've got other places to offend people) :-) So it is with a little hesitation that I share the following - but I do it for a reason.

Being polite and trying to reason with people does not seem to work with certain people. I will of course continue to try this tactic but once in a while you just need to get pissed and I'm just about there.

True storey - two weeks ago Kent and I went to southern CA for a football game. While we were there I managed to get my hands on a NO on 8 yard sign. We went to the downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market and I walked through the entire market up one side and down the other with my yard sign high in the air. For the most part people either said nothing or showed support. One guy however called me over and started asking questions - at first, he can across as if he had genuine questions and did not understand the issue. We talked for a few minutes and it's when he told me that I had a disease that I had to walk away. I am tired of walking away - there is a population that there is no reasoning with. So to you Mr. "you have a disease" - I say FUCK YOU! This goes out to you and all those like you!

I found this, written by some guy and I just had to share it.

To all you folks who voted Yes on Prop 8...Fuck you.

Yes, I'm talking to you. I'm done being polite about this, about pleading my case with civility and discourse.

Fuck your arguments about children, education, or "activist judges", because it's about none of those things, and you know it. You hide your bigotry behind lies and political rhetoric.

Fuck your argument that the only good family unit contains a mother and a father. I was raised by a single, awesome dad, and I turned out pretty fucking great. Fuck you for marginalizing my childhood.

Fuck your arguments about the sanctity of marriage, my partner and I have been together fourteen years, what makes your marriage more worthy of state recognition? Spare me the lecture. Or, make divorce and quickie weddings illegal, too.

Fuck your arguments about the history of marriage, learn its *real* history, which is hardly confined to the last few centuries of Christian belief. If the church didn't want this day to come, they should not have let the government take over marriage. But since they did, and since government should treat everyone equally, we are here now. We're not the concept of marriage as it stood three hundred years ago, we are here, right now. Act like it.

Fuck your argument that it's about freedom of religion, which only proves that it's a clear violation of the separation of church and state. How would you like it if I voted on your religious rights, too?

Fuck your arguments about the "slippery slope" it would create, in either marriage or democracy. Give society some fucking credit for having a modicum of common sense. A sudden wave of marrying dogs and widespread polygamy won't happen, and you know it.

Fuck you when you say that civil unions should be enough, because separate but equal isn't equal, and you know it.

Fuck your excuses about the will of the people, because sometimes all that amounts to is mob rule, especially when that mob is created through fear and lies, religious dogma, and massive out-of-state funding.

Fuck you for saying "oh, please understand that *my* personal decision isn't driven by religious beliefs or moral propriety," because underneath it all, it most certainly is... and if you're dancing around that issue to justify your vote some other way, you're in denial.

Fuck you for saying "some of my friends are gay" and still voting yes, because it doesn't hide your bigotry. Your actions are your words.

Fuck you for making me a second-class citizen. Thankfully we have a President now who acknowledged my existence as a Gay American in the first few minutes of his acceptance speech. Maybe, in time, his efforts at unifying this country will be successful for all of us, gay and straight.

I don't always agree with Andrew Sullivan, but he had a great post tonight that said "We must never let popular votes affect our own internal sense of our worth, our equality, our dignity as human beings. Our marriages are real; all that is at issue is whether a majority will recognize them in law. The next generation already does."

Kent and I came very close to getting married when we were recently in California - just days before the election. We decided not to for two reasons -one, we wanted to share the event with family and friends - two, we never thought 8 would pass. I'll forever regret this decision.

I can't wait for the march on Saturday!

Jim

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Support Equality for All!

It may be dangerous that I've discovered video for blogs!

Thanks to the many of you who responded so quickly to my email last night. I wanted to make sure you had an opportunity to see the commentary below.



Later -

Jim

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Twenty Reasons to Join the Impact - Urgent Message!

Please read this!

I just found out about this tonight - Kent and I plan to attend the protest here in Seattle. Please join us! if you do not live in the Seattle area find a place near you where they are holding this event. This is a nation wide event! My Mom called me from California today to let me know that there is support from the Governor and other officials to get this overturned and ruled unconstitutional!

This Sunday Kent and I will celebrate our 11th anniversary as a couple. I can't think of a better way to honor our relationship than to speak out against discrimination! Please forward this blog post and get involved. I would personally appreciate this very much. If you need more information than you can find on the website, let me know and I'll try to get you connected. If you can not attend an event please take the time to email your representatives and let them know that you support equal rights for all!

Please read on.....

Information on Join the Impact, a coordinated, nation-wide series of demonstrations, available here.


1. The Archdiocese of San Francisco contacted the Mormons last June and asked for their help in supporting Prop 8. The Catholics and the Mormons managed to put aside their vast theological differences for the sole purpose of opposing us.

2. Their votes were informed by religious beliefs, which by their nature can’t be reasoned with – passionate beliefs that unite people to fight tirelessly for a cause they believe in; namely, defeating us at the polls.

3. Regardless of how you feel about the issue of gay marriage, and if it’s time has come, or if other issues should take precedent, or if we should even desire a broken-down institution like marriage, this fight is not really about gay marriage. It’s about the fact that we are not recognized as full citizens by our own country, and by a large number of Americans and their organized religions. This issue is about whether or not gays get counted as human. Like the ban against gays in the military, it is a concrete example of institutional discrimination. We are the bottom of their barrel, we are their scapegoats, and marriage is simply the most current landscape for this battle, not the battle itself.


4. You may not want to get married, but you deserve to have the choice.

5. Regardless of how you feel about marriage, the fact is that for whatever reason, for a ton of reasons or for no apparent reason at all, THIS IS THE ISSUE that is now galvanizing thousands and thousands of people, both gay and straight, and we need to stop scolding from the sidelines and ride this passion as far as it will take us, right now, today, because passion cannot be manufactured, because it is organic and all-too-often temporary, and because this particular battle will affect countless other issues in ways that we cannot even imagine today, issues that you may feel more strongly about. This is a stepping stone, the next stone in our path. Take the step.

6. You will be participating in history, instead of merely observing it.

7. After four days of protests in California, Governor Schwarzenegger publicly encouraged us to keep fighting.


8. After five days of protests, forty-four members of the California legislature, more than one-third of our lawmakers, added their voices to the chorus calling on the state’s highest court to overturn Prop 8.

9. After five days of protests, Keith Olbermann added his own emotional voice to our fight.

10. Our anger is giving other people permission to join us, and after Saturday’s protests, others are bound to follow.

11. The fight over Prop 8 has already fallen off the front pages of most non-California newspapers and news sites. A coordinated, nation-wide demonstration will return that issue to the front pages.


12. The longer our anger lasts, the more people will ask themselves why we are so angry. We want them to be asking themselves this question, every single day.

13. You will see, at these demonstrations, high school and college kids who don’t have any plans to get married any time soon but know what discrimination looks like when they see it.

14. Seeing them will give you hope for our future.

15. You are straight and you want to show your support in some concrete way.

16. You are not straight and the demonstrations will be filled with single dudes of every conceivable gender.

17. Gay weddings with free bars.

18. You spend too much time in front of your computer. Alone.
19. And instant messages don’t count.

20. Because we don’t have the shared religious beliefs to unite us against our opposition. Because the only passion that we have that could possibly counteract that unreasonable passion is our concern for each other.
Thank you!
Jim

It's Raining Men II

I hope you enjoy - this was sent to me by my friend Cheryl - this is a first for me adding a video to the blog! Could be the start of a new trend!


Hi! We're your Weather Girls - Ah-huh -And have we got news for you - You better listen! Get ready, all you lonely girls and leave those umbrellas at home.

Alright! -Humidity is rising - Barometer's getting low. According to all sources, the street's the place to go. Cause tonight for the first time, Just about half-past ten, For the first time in history It's gonna start raining men.

It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen! I'm gonna go out to run and let myself get absolutely soaking wet! It's Raining Men! Hallelujah!It's Raining Men! Every Specimen! Tall, blonde, dark and lean, Rough and tough and strong and mean.....God bless Mother Nature, she's a single woman too. She took off to heaven and she did what she had to do She taught every angel to rearrange the sky So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy.

It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen! It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! It's Raining Men! Ame---------nnnn!

I feel stormy weather / Moving in about to begin. Hear the thunder / Don't you lose your head. Rip off the roof and stay in bed. God bless Mother Nature, she's a single woman too. She took off to heaven and she did what she had to do. She taught every angel to rearrange the sky. So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy...

It's Raining Men! Yeah!Humidity is rising - Barometer's getting low. According to all sources, the street's the place to go. Cause tonight for the first time. Just about half-past ten. For the first time in history. It's gonna start raining men. It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen! It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men!

Later -

Jim

Retro Song of the day - Love Shack by the B52's!

Who doesn't love this song! This is a classic that has been on my list to put up as a retro song of the day (it's actually turned into the retro song of the - whenever the hell Jim gets around to changing it song) since i started doing this. My friend Cheryl suggested it in a recent email - so here goes to Cheryl! Turn up your sound, click on the retro song of the day and sing along - get up and dance if you really want to have fun! God - this was a great dance song!



Love Shack

If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says
15 miles to the... Love Shack! Love Shack yeah
I'm headin' down the Atlanta highway, lookin' for the love getaway
Heading for the love getaway, love getaway, love getaway, love
getaway,

I got me a car, it's as big as a whale and we're headin' on
down To the Love Shack I got me a Chrysler , it seats about 20 So hurry
up and bring your jukebox money

The Love Shack is a little old place where we can get together
Love Shack baby, Love Shack bay-bee.
Love shack, baby, love shack Love shack, baby, love shack
Love baby, that's where it's at, Ooo love baby, that's where it's at

Sign says.. Woo... stay away fools, 'cause love rules at the Love
Shack! Well it's set way back in the middle of a field, Just a funky
old shack and I gotta get back
Glitter on the mattress
Glitter on the highway
Glitter on the front porch
Glitter on the hallway

The Love Shack is a little old place where we can get together
Love Shack baby! Love Shack baby!
Love Shack, that's where it's at!
Love Shack, that's where it's at!

Huggin' and a kissin', dancin' and a lovin', wearin' next to no thing Cause it's hot as an oven
The whole shack shimmies when everybody' s Movin' around and around and around!
Everybody's movin', everybody's groovin' baby! Folks linin' up outside
just to get down Everybody's movin ', everybody's groovin' baby Funky
little shack! Funky little shack!

Hop in my Chrysler, it's as big as a whale and it's about to set sail!
I got me a car, it seats about 20 So come on and bring your jukebox money .

The Love Shack is a little old place where we can get together
Love Shack baby, Love Shack bay-bee.
Love shack, baby, love shack
Love shack, baby, love shack
Ooo love baby, that's where it's at

Bang bang bang on the door baby! Knock a little louder sugar!
Bang bang bang on the door baby! I can't hear you
bang bang on the door baby
bang bang on the door
bang bang on the door baby bang bang
You're what?... Tin roof, rusted!

Love Shack, baby Love Shack!
Love Shack, baby Love Shack!
Love Shack, baby Love Shack!
Love baby, that's where it's at (ad lib)

I hope you had as much fun with this song as I did! Remember to send me suggestions for other great retro songs and I'll add it to the play list and add the lyrics!

Off to honor our veterans with a little shopping today!

Later -

Jim

Friday, November 7, 2008

Finally a Husky Win!

Kent and I have been waiting for this for months! Last night was the start of basketball season! We are season ticket holders for both football and basketball (Basketball our friend Bill joins us as well) and since our football team is not doing so well it was fun to see the Huskies finally win a game! They played Western so it is no surprise that they won.


This picture was taken on my iPhone and is a view of the court from our new seat location. They did a reallocation of seats and moved everyone around. We are very happy with our new location!
Here's to a great basketball season!
Later -
Jim