This picture is too perfect.
grabbed from my new favorite site, Found Magazine
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
collecting moments one by one
It seems there's always been songs that have helped me through difficult times or made summers happier seasons. It's fun now to have E bringing music to me, knowing that these new associations will take me back to the little dude asking questions and giving hugs.
As soon as he heard this song E loved it. What can I say he's got great taste. I'll buckle him up and he'll ask for the "Oh oh" song. This will always be the summer of 2007...
Have a great weekend my friends!
As soon as he heard this song E loved it. What can I say he's got great taste. I'll buckle him up and he'll ask for the "Oh oh" song. This will always be the summer of 2007...
Have a great weekend my friends!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Traditional family structure - Maryland style
On the same day that gay families across the state were denied their civil rights this story appeared:
“A Maryland mother was arraigned on drug and child abuse charges after police said she threw her 6-month-old child across a room at a police officer. According to court documents, the incident happened in late July at a home on Inverness Drive in Cecil County.
According to court documents, state troopers were called to a trailer on Inverness Drive to check on the well-being of Evelyn Doninger, 23, of North East, and her two small children.
Officers said that they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the home, so they told Doninger they would be coming in. The court documents said that Doninger told police they had no right to enter her home.
Police said that they noticed a hand -rolled cigarette and a bag with what they believed was marijuana in it, as well as various drug paraphernalia. They also said they found two men inside the home and two children -- a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old. Police said they told Doninger she was being arrested. The documents said she became "incredibly irate," stood up from a chair and threw the 6-month-old at least 5 feet at one of the troopers.
The child struck the trooper's chest and he caught the baby just before it hit the floor, according to court documents. Doninger then shoved the trooper, striking both him and the baby.”
If you recall the judges declared “that the State's legitimate interests in fostering procreation and encouraging the traditional family structures in which children are born” Let’s see Doninger did give birth to these children, check. Traditional family structure hmm let’s see there’s two men in the trailer surely one of them is the father. It’s so nice to see the procreating traditional family prospering in the state of Maryland.
“Police said that the 6-month-old baby is doing fine. Doninger has since been released from jail. She is facing eight different child abuse and drug charges.”
Well hopefully she’ll still be able to get married even if she faces jail time…
What does this Post editorial have to say: If marriage is solely a matter of giving legal sanction to procreation, then what to make of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in a Missouri case granting the right to marry to prison inmates who had zero prospect of procreating? In that 1987 case, the court said marriage was a fundamental human right--kiddies notwithstanding. The majority in the Maryland case acknowledged that the prison case blows something of a hole in their procreation argument but took refuge in a simple declaration that they just don't care: The Missouri case just "does not persuade us," the court ruled.
Oh whew, I’m relieved. The wedding planning may be a b*tch from jail but luckily she will still be able to marry the little tosser’s father if she hasn’t already found the time between rolling those joints. Hey! They’re not going to roll themselves people.
Some of my anger has dissipated after the four judges in Maryland denied our civil rights. I’ve processed it and I’m moving on. If this is the sacred institution they want for themselves let them have it. They’re doing fine on their own in screwing it up.
Let’s have our civil unions. Let’s make them the most glorious, loving institutions the state has ever seen. We need to protect our families and our loved ones from capricious small minds. I hope the Doninger children find a loving and healthy home to grow up in. If that household happens to have two dads or two moms those kids won’t care. They will be wanted and they will be loved and sometimes that’s all a child needs.
“A Maryland mother was arraigned on drug and child abuse charges after police said she threw her 6-month-old child across a room at a police officer. According to court documents, the incident happened in late July at a home on Inverness Drive in Cecil County.
According to court documents, state troopers were called to a trailer on Inverness Drive to check on the well-being of Evelyn Doninger, 23, of North East, and her two small children.
Officers said that they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the home, so they told Doninger they would be coming in. The court documents said that Doninger told police they had no right to enter her home.
Police said that they noticed a hand -rolled cigarette and a bag with what they believed was marijuana in it, as well as various drug paraphernalia. They also said they found two men inside the home and two children -- a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old. Police said they told Doninger she was being arrested. The documents said she became "incredibly irate," stood up from a chair and threw the 6-month-old at least 5 feet at one of the troopers.
The child struck the trooper's chest and he caught the baby just before it hit the floor, according to court documents. Doninger then shoved the trooper, striking both him and the baby.”
If you recall the judges declared “that the State's legitimate interests in fostering procreation and encouraging the traditional family structures in which children are born” Let’s see Doninger did give birth to these children, check. Traditional family structure hmm let’s see there’s two men in the trailer surely one of them is the father. It’s so nice to see the procreating traditional family prospering in the state of Maryland.
“Police said that the 6-month-old baby is doing fine. Doninger has since been released from jail. She is facing eight different child abuse and drug charges.”
Well hopefully she’ll still be able to get married even if she faces jail time…
What does this Post editorial have to say: If marriage is solely a matter of giving legal sanction to procreation, then what to make of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in a Missouri case granting the right to marry to prison inmates who had zero prospect of procreating? In that 1987 case, the court said marriage was a fundamental human right--kiddies notwithstanding. The majority in the Maryland case acknowledged that the prison case blows something of a hole in their procreation argument but took refuge in a simple declaration that they just don't care: The Missouri case just "does not persuade us," the court ruled.
Oh whew, I’m relieved. The wedding planning may be a b*tch from jail but luckily she will still be able to marry the little tosser’s father if she hasn’t already found the time between rolling those joints. Hey! They’re not going to roll themselves people.
Some of my anger has dissipated after the four judges in Maryland denied our civil rights. I’ve processed it and I’m moving on. If this is the sacred institution they want for themselves let them have it. They’re doing fine on their own in screwing it up.
Let’s have our civil unions. Let’s make them the most glorious, loving institutions the state has ever seen. We need to protect our families and our loved ones from capricious small minds. I hope the Doninger children find a loving and healthy home to grow up in. If that household happens to have two dads or two moms those kids won’t care. They will be wanted and they will be loved and sometimes that’s all a child needs.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
This is a very sad day for Marylanders
Maryland High Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban
BY ERIC RICH AND JOHN WAGNER
WASHINGTON POST STAFF WRITERS
Maryland's highest court upheld the state's ban on gay marriage in a ruling issued this morning, reversing a lower court decision and turning back the most formidable legal challenge to date of the controversial law.
The Court of Appeals held that the ban does not, as the American Civil Liberties Union had argued, violate the state constitution. The ruling cannot be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the plaintiffs said when the case was argued in December.
The court took the case after the state appealed a ruling by Baltimore Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock, who held in January that the 1973 law banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory and "cannot withstand constitutional challenge." In anticipation of an appeal, Murdock stayed her decision when she announced it.
The court's ruling today reverses Murdock's decision, which thrust Maryland into a debate that has raged across the country at least since 1996, when Congress passed a law barring federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allowing states to do the same.
In an opinion signed by four judges, Judge Glenn T. Harrell Jr., citing a Supreme Court holding on judicial restraint, wrote that, absent evidence of discrimination, "judicial intervention is generally unwarranted no matter how unwisely we may think a political branch has acted."
"In declaring that the State's legitimate interests in fostering procreation and encouraging the traditional family structures in which children are born are related reasonably to the means employed by [the law banning same-sex marriage], our opinion should by no means be read to imply that the General Assembly may not grant and recognize for homosexual persons civil unions or the reasons," wrote Harrell, who is retired from the court but participated in the decision because he was a member when the case was argued.
Harrell was joined by judges Dale R. Cathell, Clayton Greene Jr. and Alan M. Wilner. A fifth judge, Irma S. Raker, concurred in part and dissented in part. Chief Judge Robert M. Bell and Lynne A. Battaglia wrote dissenting opinions.
Gay rights advocates called the ruling a surprise and disappointment given that several states, including Massachusetts and New Jersey, have struck down marriage bans. But they said the case galvanized not only the gay community but a wider group of Maryland citizens--and pledged to push the General Assembly to take up a gay marriage bill when the legislature convenes in January.
"We will be pushing for full, legal equality in the Maryland General Assembly," said Dan Furmansky,executive director of Equality Maryland. "This is a social justice struggle. Eventually, Maryland will have civil marriage equality for same-sex couples. It's inevitable."
Leading lawmakers said the gay rights advocates will likely face an uphill battle in Annapolis, particularly in the Senate, where a bill would be subject to a filibuster.
"It would be a tall order for the legislature to overturn existing law ... but it's not out of the realm of possibility," said Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery), chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee.
In past years, both efforts to legalize gay marriage and efforts to write a ban into the Constitution have not gained much traction.
BY ERIC RICH AND JOHN WAGNER
WASHINGTON POST STAFF WRITERS
Maryland's highest court upheld the state's ban on gay marriage in a ruling issued this morning, reversing a lower court decision and turning back the most formidable legal challenge to date of the controversial law.
The Court of Appeals held that the ban does not, as the American Civil Liberties Union had argued, violate the state constitution. The ruling cannot be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the plaintiffs said when the case was argued in December.
The court took the case after the state appealed a ruling by Baltimore Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock, who held in January that the 1973 law banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory and "cannot withstand constitutional challenge." In anticipation of an appeal, Murdock stayed her decision when she announced it.
The court's ruling today reverses Murdock's decision, which thrust Maryland into a debate that has raged across the country at least since 1996, when Congress passed a law barring federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allowing states to do the same.
In an opinion signed by four judges, Judge Glenn T. Harrell Jr., citing a Supreme Court holding on judicial restraint, wrote that, absent evidence of discrimination, "judicial intervention is generally unwarranted no matter how unwisely we may think a political branch has acted."
"In declaring that the State's legitimate interests in fostering procreation and encouraging the traditional family structures in which children are born are related reasonably to the means employed by [the law banning same-sex marriage], our opinion should by no means be read to imply that the General Assembly may not grant and recognize for homosexual persons civil unions or the reasons," wrote Harrell, who is retired from the court but participated in the decision because he was a member when the case was argued.
Harrell was joined by judges Dale R. Cathell, Clayton Greene Jr. and Alan M. Wilner. A fifth judge, Irma S. Raker, concurred in part and dissented in part. Chief Judge Robert M. Bell and Lynne A. Battaglia wrote dissenting opinions.
Gay rights advocates called the ruling a surprise and disappointment given that several states, including Massachusetts and New Jersey, have struck down marriage bans. But they said the case galvanized not only the gay community but a wider group of Maryland citizens--and pledged to push the General Assembly to take up a gay marriage bill when the legislature convenes in January.
"We will be pushing for full, legal equality in the Maryland General Assembly," said Dan Furmansky,executive director of Equality Maryland. "This is a social justice struggle. Eventually, Maryland will have civil marriage equality for same-sex couples. It's inevitable."
Leading lawmakers said the gay rights advocates will likely face an uphill battle in Annapolis, particularly in the Senate, where a bill would be subject to a filibuster.
"It would be a tall order for the legislature to overturn existing law ... but it's not out of the realm of possibility," said Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery), chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee.
In past years, both efforts to legalize gay marriage and efforts to write a ban into the Constitution have not gained much traction.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Friiiiiday
Hello weekend. It's a marvelous looking forecast. I can't wait to get outside and soak up these perfect temperatures.
Work is keeping me busy but I've managed to complete my physical and get our house inspected so we've been checked inside and out. Another wave of documents will be coming soon. I had the wind taken out of me a bit when we had to switch agencies but I think I'll get momentum going again very soon.
Adorable E update. When he doesn't know the name of something he'll say "That leetle thing." I don't know where the little came from but it makes me smile when I hear it. Sometimes I make him say it twice just so I can hear it. No matter the size it's always "that leetle thing."
Enjoy yourselves my friends, I wish you well.
Work is keeping me busy but I've managed to complete my physical and get our house inspected so we've been checked inside and out. Another wave of documents will be coming soon. I had the wind taken out of me a bit when we had to switch agencies but I think I'll get momentum going again very soon.
Adorable E update. When he doesn't know the name of something he'll say "That leetle thing." I don't know where the little came from but it makes me smile when I hear it. Sometimes I make him say it twice just so I can hear it. No matter the size it's always "that leetle thing."
Enjoy yourselves my friends, I wish you well.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Under the long night moon
The adoption equation is a funny thing. The marketplace values ethnicities and gender with wait times and fees. Girls it seems are a hot commodity. We had toyed with the idea of trying for a girl and my mother is desperate for a granddaughter. Now, that seems as likely as getting a unicorn. So that decision is made. It’s a little heartbreaking to think that someone might "settle" for a son instead of a daughter. I had thought it might be interesting to bring that female energy into the house, but it's not meant to be.
So, we’re looking at a house full of dudes - two crazy, energetic puppies rumbling through the house. I love the spirit and life that kids bring to a home. When I saw our house I knew this was a place for a family. The yard was made for soccer balls, the tree in the back for climbing.
Somewhere out there is my son. He’s waiting to be born. He’s a small little delicate thing. I imagine his mother stopping to rest, knowing that something is different. Does she know he’s there? I send my love far away across the world and pray for him and his family that was and his family to be.
We're waiting for you....
So, we’re looking at a house full of dudes - two crazy, energetic puppies rumbling through the house. I love the spirit and life that kids bring to a home. When I saw our house I knew this was a place for a family. The yard was made for soccer balls, the tree in the back for climbing.
Somewhere out there is my son. He’s waiting to be born. He’s a small little delicate thing. I imagine his mother stopping to rest, knowing that something is different. Does she know he’s there? I send my love far away across the world and pray for him and his family that was and his family to be.
We're waiting for you....
Friday, August 31, 2007
All the boys say...
I don’t remember playing No Doubt’s Hey Baby to E but somehow it’s become stuck in his wonderful jangly head. At odd moments he’ll start singing “Hey Baby! Hey Baby! Hey! Girls say, Hey Baby! Hey Baby! Hey!” It’s hysterical. Fortunately he stops at the chorus.
I still can’t remember saying it. Perhaps I sing it without knowledge and like my oy’s and dude’s he’s picked it up there.
Could be worse, I have been known to sing a Missy Elliot now and then.
I still can’t remember saying it. Perhaps I sing it without knowledge and like my oy’s and dude’s he’s picked it up there.
Could be worse, I have been known to sing a Missy Elliot now and then.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Miles to go
Well we have the extra seat in this family car and now we just have to figure out which road to take and we'll find our little one waiting out there somewhere. Like E says all the time now, "What happened?" he or she will say. The stars seem to be pointing us to Vietnam.
I’d gathered information on V in the past so I have some familiarity with the country and process but the reality of it and logistics are another matter. I’m continuing getting my homestudy ready. The urgency is gone now as I look around at what the new requirements are and wrap my head around this sudden jolt.
The new job is going well. I’m trying to stay focused while here and not let all the little stressors seep in.
We said goodbye to E’s old school. It was a touching and surreal experience, kind of E’s first graduation. He was oblivious to the whole situation and couldn’t understand why I was having him hug all his teachers. I’d hand him over and he’d immediately want to come back to me.
I get a bit paranoid during the referral and placement process so who knows… this blog may disappear at some point. I wish I could make it password protected for a bit.
Details to follow. It feels like someone has thrown our map out the window but we’ll the car back on the right road. E says he needs to go potty so time to pull over. We’ll catch up with you all later.
I’d gathered information on V in the past so I have some familiarity with the country and process but the reality of it and logistics are another matter. I’m continuing getting my homestudy ready. The urgency is gone now as I look around at what the new requirements are and wrap my head around this sudden jolt.
The new job is going well. I’m trying to stay focused while here and not let all the little stressors seep in.
We said goodbye to E’s old school. It was a touching and surreal experience, kind of E’s first graduation. He was oblivious to the whole situation and couldn’t understand why I was having him hug all his teachers. I’d hand him over and he’d immediately want to come back to me.
I get a bit paranoid during the referral and placement process so who knows… this blog may disappear at some point. I wish I could make it password protected for a bit.
Details to follow. It feels like someone has thrown our map out the window but we’ll the car back on the right road. E says he needs to go potty so time to pull over. We’ll catch up with you all later.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
A door closes
I should be packing right now. I should be taking the pictures off the wall and stowing them. I should be purging paper and folders but I can't focus on even such a simple task.
You want to believe that there's a plan and that the universe is guiding you along to some goal. When I look in E's eyes I believe we were destined. Then and now I got the paperwork ready. Clearances and evaluations fly across towns and get stamps of gold seal and ribbons of officialdom. Each delay meant the celestial clock ticked closer to the appointed hour. Now, I fly through the papers, no hitches. Everything runs smooth and efficiently. We approach that magical referral moment and tragedy strikes.
The agency is raided. Fourty-six children are confiscated like illegal drugs. Fourty-six children linked forever to families across the globe. That could have been me. That could have been my child. My heart aches and I feel lucky and guilty. The bureaucracy frightens me as it never had before. Politicians are cracking down they say. What is the truth? The description of the orphanage sounds nothing like the happy, clean place that I visited. None of it makes sense to me.
I pray for the children and the day the families will be reuinted. Guatemala is a beautiful and dangerous place.
It will be a long time before I go back and I wonder if I'll ever tell E about any of this. I suspect I won't tell him much at all.
Time to pack.
You want to believe that there's a plan and that the universe is guiding you along to some goal. When I look in E's eyes I believe we were destined. Then and now I got the paperwork ready. Clearances and evaluations fly across towns and get stamps of gold seal and ribbons of officialdom. Each delay meant the celestial clock ticked closer to the appointed hour. Now, I fly through the papers, no hitches. Everything runs smooth and efficiently. We approach that magical referral moment and tragedy strikes.
The agency is raided. Fourty-six children are confiscated like illegal drugs. Fourty-six children linked forever to families across the globe. That could have been me. That could have been my child. My heart aches and I feel lucky and guilty. The bureaucracy frightens me as it never had before. Politicians are cracking down they say. What is the truth? The description of the orphanage sounds nothing like the happy, clean place that I visited. None of it makes sense to me.
I pray for the children and the day the families will be reuinted. Guatemala is a beautiful and dangerous place.
It will be a long time before I go back and I wonder if I'll ever tell E about any of this. I suspect I won't tell him much at all.
Time to pack.
Monday, August 13, 2007
May you live in interesting times
It’s been an unusually turbulent time. You have to accept and embrace a certain amount of risk or things simply stagnate. So in our house we see a number of changes. E is starting his new school in 2 weeks and the preparation and planning is reaching a crescendo. There’ve been visits and playdates and meetings, all necessary but adding to the chaos. He really likes the school and I’m happy to meet the children he’ll be spending his days with and the families we’ll be getting to know.
Meanwhile, I decided to take a temp position in my agency. Hopefully this will work out to be a positive change. My current office has been doing the paper cut torture test where little annoyances upon little annoyances grow and grow. It’s left me drained and grouchy. I think this will be a good move for me with lots of potential.
Meanwhile, meanwhile…. We decided to pursue another adoption. There was much debate and angst but we decided that time was running out and we hoped Indiana Jones style to slip under the stone wall before Guatemala closes. Things were proceeding well, as we applyied our knowledge from last go around and then BLAM! our agency was raided over the weekend. There were charges (unfounded in my opionion) that illegal adoption were taking place. My confidence was shattered and the reality of the current politics hit me hard. I’m left shaken and worried about how to proceed. There should be a way around this but I’m not seeing it at the moment.
Meanwhile, I decided to take a temp position in my agency. Hopefully this will work out to be a positive change. My current office has been doing the paper cut torture test where little annoyances upon little annoyances grow and grow. It’s left me drained and grouchy. I think this will be a good move for me with lots of potential.
Meanwhile, meanwhile…. We decided to pursue another adoption. There was much debate and angst but we decided that time was running out and we hoped Indiana Jones style to slip under the stone wall before Guatemala closes. Things were proceeding well, as we applyied our knowledge from last go around and then BLAM! our agency was raided over the weekend. There were charges (unfounded in my opionion) that illegal adoption were taking place. My confidence was shattered and the reality of the current politics hit me hard. I’m left shaken and worried about how to proceed. There should be a way around this but I’m not seeing it at the moment.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Bedknobs and Boo-hoo
So we finished painting E’s room. It’s a lovely shade of light blue on 3 walls and deep dark blue on the other. (It’s funny that we’d resisted the stereotypical blue for so long and now we’re embracing it.)
More important than the color though was the brand new twin bed! We built up the Big Boy Bed! We had a parade to the Big Boy Bed! There was much rejoicing over the Big Boy Bed!… and then bedtime and chaos. He hated the bed. He wanted to get up. He wanted anything except being in that bed.
I felt so guilty, like I was trying to push him to grow up when really this is a very fun age. When he’s this small everything looks adorable and to hear these big words tumbling out of mouth is just amazing.
….
A couple nights have passed and from the initial hour and a half to get to bed we’re now back to the 30-minute wind down.
Last night, he told me “Daddy, get in big boy bed.”
I told him “Ok, but just for a few minutes.”
We lay there quiet for a few minutes, E with his eyes closed. He lifted his head, looked at me, grinned real big and then put his head back on the pillow. That earned him another ten minutes with me next to him. After the ten minutes, I rubbed his back and said goodnight. He didn’t stir as I snuck out of the room.
More important than the color though was the brand new twin bed! We built up the Big Boy Bed! We had a parade to the Big Boy Bed! There was much rejoicing over the Big Boy Bed!… and then bedtime and chaos. He hated the bed. He wanted to get up. He wanted anything except being in that bed.
I felt so guilty, like I was trying to push him to grow up when really this is a very fun age. When he’s this small everything looks adorable and to hear these big words tumbling out of mouth is just amazing.
….
A couple nights have passed and from the initial hour and a half to get to bed we’re now back to the 30-minute wind down.
Last night, he told me “Daddy, get in big boy bed.”
I told him “Ok, but just for a few minutes.”
We lay there quiet for a few minutes, E with his eyes closed. He lifted his head, looked at me, grinned real big and then put his head back on the pillow. That earned him another ten minutes with me next to him. After the ten minutes, I rubbed his back and said goodnight. He didn’t stir as I snuck out of the room.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
An apple away
I’ve been trying to eat healthier and so I’ve been bringing in an apple for my afternoon snack. I carefully pick them out at the grocery store getting only the finest in appledom. I’d set it there on my filing cabinet as I happily and cheerfully worked away knowing that my apple was waiting for me.
Well, I’ve noticed a penchant by those co-worker people to pick up my apple and examine it as if it’s being judged at some county fair in the Best Office Apple category. Ew. I don’t walk over to your desk and pick up your sandwich and remark on the texture of the bread. I liked having my apple out. I think it’s a rather sunshiney fruit right up there with bananas and blueberries.
So, now I’ve had to hide my apple away in a dark, dark drawer. If anyone asks I'll deny having any fruit. It's a personal matter, yeah.
Well, I’ve noticed a penchant by those co-worker people to pick up my apple and examine it as if it’s being judged at some county fair in the Best Office Apple category. Ew. I don’t walk over to your desk and pick up your sandwich and remark on the texture of the bread. I liked having my apple out. I think it’s a rather sunshiney fruit right up there with bananas and blueberries.
So, now I’ve had to hide my apple away in a dark, dark drawer. If anyone asks I'll deny having any fruit. It's a personal matter, yeah.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Gotta Be Starting Something
Thursday, July 19, 2007; 1:20 PM (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Michael Jackson toured the Smithsonian's National Air and Space and American Indian museums, arriving with his children before the buildings opened to the public.
"He wanted to show them the sights," Raymone Bain, a publicist for the 48-year-old pop star, told The Washington Post.
At the air and space museum, Jackson lingered over the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first heavier-than-air powered aircraft to make a sustained flight with a pilot aboard, during his visit Wednesday. His children enjoyed robots R2-D2 and C-3PO from the "Star Wars" movies.
Jackson will be in the Washington region for a few days. Bain said the singer has been looking for a vacation home.
...
I'm choosing to see this as a positive sign for the upcoming election... a little dove returning with an olive leaf and a burka telling us that DC has been cleaned of the republican mess.
WASHINGTON -- Michael Jackson toured the Smithsonian's National Air and Space and American Indian museums, arriving with his children before the buildings opened to the public.
"He wanted to show them the sights," Raymone Bain, a publicist for the 48-year-old pop star, told The Washington Post.
At the air and space museum, Jackson lingered over the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first heavier-than-air powered aircraft to make a sustained flight with a pilot aboard, during his visit Wednesday. His children enjoyed robots R2-D2 and C-3PO from the "Star Wars" movies.
Jackson will be in the Washington region for a few days. Bain said the singer has been looking for a vacation home.
...
I'm choosing to see this as a positive sign for the upcoming election... a little dove returning with an olive leaf and a burka telling us that DC has been cleaned of the republican mess.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Red, Red Whine
What is it about the beach that renews us and recharges us? Does the sound of the ocean awaken some primordial, instinctive pleasure? We’d start the day with a leisurely breakfast and then head to the beach for a few hours until lunch beckoned. After a nice long nap we’d wake and stumble into town for a little browsing, dinner and then home to crash. It was a week of warm sun, frozen drinks, sand castles, and toy boats. It was heaven.
I love the rich dessert of Rehoboth with the giddy kids, the grandparents and the gays as the icing on top. That’s a terrible mess of a metaphor. Eh. Whatever. I’ll let it sit there.
We came home to catch up on all our bad tv. We are addicted to So You Think You Can Dance and Top Chef. I hope I’m not losing some valuable thinking um part of the brain as I spend more time in children’s literature and constant vigilance.
The vacation was a nice recharge and I need to figure out some way to hold onto that relaxed state even as E drives me insane. I was worried how it all might go a week together with no breaks but it was great, no problems. Relaxed and on the beach even L was talking about E2.
It’s amazing what a margarita and a little sun can do.
I love the rich dessert of Rehoboth with the giddy kids, the grandparents and the gays as the icing on top. That’s a terrible mess of a metaphor. Eh. Whatever. I’ll let it sit there.
We came home to catch up on all our bad tv. We are addicted to So You Think You Can Dance and Top Chef. I hope I’m not losing some valuable thinking um part of the brain as I spend more time in children’s literature and constant vigilance.
The vacation was a nice recharge and I need to figure out some way to hold onto that relaxed state even as E drives me insane. I was worried how it all might go a week together with no breaks but it was great, no problems. Relaxed and on the beach even L was talking about E2.
It’s amazing what a margarita and a little sun can do.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Rehobound
It's been a crazy week here but we're finally reaching the conclusion. Tonight there will be mad packing and then Saturday we leave for lovely Rehoboth.
I can't wait. We've rented a cute little beach house and some family is stopping by for part of the week. There's sand to dig, castles to build.
...and we'll be celebrating my birthday. I feel the wisdom rushing towards me as I gain another year. I feel a little creakier in the joints, a little more patient in my understanding, and a lot more loved where it counts.
See you all in a week and some change!
I can't wait. We've rented a cute little beach house and some family is stopping by for part of the week. There's sand to dig, castles to build.
...and we'll be celebrating my birthday. I feel the wisdom rushing towards me as I gain another year. I feel a little creakier in the joints, a little more patient in my understanding, and a lot more loved where it counts.
See you all in a week and some change!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
rock-a-bye
E's talking more and more. New phrases are popping up all the time. I was trying to get him to come downstairs and he looks at me and says "I'll be back." and he dashes off to his room.
We don't get a lot of cuddly E because he's such an active kid so when he is still and silent I just drink it up. The evening routine is golden. We read lots of stories at bedtime. He'd keep going and going if we'd let him with story after story. I think it's partly interest and partly stalling. After the stories we sing a few songs and then I put him down. Last night, he was fading out, yawning widely as I put him in his crib. I lean over softly saying "I love you." He turns over, look up at me, eyelids heavy and tells me, "I tooted."
aaaaw
We don't get a lot of cuddly E because he's such an active kid so when he is still and silent I just drink it up. The evening routine is golden. We read lots of stories at bedtime. He'd keep going and going if we'd let him with story after story. I think it's partly interest and partly stalling. After the stories we sing a few songs and then I put him down. Last night, he was fading out, yawning widely as I put him in his crib. I lean over softly saying "I love you." He turns over, look up at me, eyelids heavy and tells me, "I tooted."
aaaaw
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
You may have missed...
Nice story about gay parents from CNN:
Jackson is one of 65,000 adopted children being raised by same-sex parents in the United States, according to a March 2007 report compiled by the Urban Institute and the Williams Institute at University of California at Los Angeles School of Law.
The same report estimates more than 14,100 foster children were living with one or more gay or lesbian foster parent.
Roach and his longtime partner, Ken Manford, adopted Jackson from Guatemala in 2001 and say he is not overly bothered by the non-traditional character of their family.
"We worry about it more than he does," Roach said, although the two fathers acknowledged that Jackson had been asking about "mom" lately.
"We're pretty upfront about it," Manford said. "You just ...say, 'If you had a mommy, then you wouldn't have two daddies. Is that what you want?' And he says, 'No I want two daddies and a mommy.'"
"Well, there's not a mommy, you've got grandma, and granny and Aunt Jennifer. And he'll say, 'OK.'"
Though denied the right to marry in every state except Massachusetts, more and more same-sex couples are turning to adoption and foster care to form families, according to child adoption groups who study the issue.
Gay parents
Jackson is one of 65,000 adopted children being raised by same-sex parents in the United States, according to a March 2007 report compiled by the Urban Institute and the Williams Institute at University of California at Los Angeles School of Law.
The same report estimates more than 14,100 foster children were living with one or more gay or lesbian foster parent.
Roach and his longtime partner, Ken Manford, adopted Jackson from Guatemala in 2001 and say he is not overly bothered by the non-traditional character of their family.
"We worry about it more than he does," Roach said, although the two fathers acknowledged that Jackson had been asking about "mom" lately.
"We're pretty upfront about it," Manford said. "You just ...say, 'If you had a mommy, then you wouldn't have two daddies. Is that what you want?' And he says, 'No I want two daddies and a mommy.'"
"Well, there's not a mommy, you've got grandma, and granny and Aunt Jennifer. And he'll say, 'OK.'"
Though denied the right to marry in every state except Massachusetts, more and more same-sex couples are turning to adoption and foster care to form families, according to child adoption groups who study the issue.
Gay parents
Friday, June 22, 2007
Oh the places you'll grow
I have to say the impatience/guilt combo is a unique emotional duo I haven’t experienced before parenting. E has perfected this unique mental torture game of saying “I’ll do it.” And then staring at you and then when you move to do it, he throws the fit down.
What is this about? Why don’t you do it? What is this test? The crying when you are told no makes sense but this staring at me after you say “I’ll do it.” …. What do you you gain? Arrrrgh.
He’s also learning to leap off the ottoman with wild abandon. It’s one of those parenting dilemmas. He’s an active kid so I’m all for any sort of physical activity that will tire him out without risking permanent bodily injury, but how much freedom do you free?
…
I had to tell our current daycare or school as we like to call it around the house that we’d be switching centers in August. I already feel bad about E losing his friends but I didn’t expect the reactions from the staff. I mean it’s wonderful that they care about him but I have to look at the long-term situation. E will be going to school with kids he’ll enter elementary school with and they’re all local families plus the new school is less than a mile from the house which means a quick commute for him.
Wouldn’t you know it that last week E had to go and tell one of his teachers that he loved them too. Oh little man you’re killing me. Save that adorableness for your new teachers! The teacher told me that after he told her “ I love you M.” she started to cry and he said “Don’t cry, M.” This may sound strange but I’m slowly becoming aware of E as his own person. I’d only been focused on what he was learning in school. Before last week, I hadn’t really thought about how he might be affecting other people too.
They say they want to have a going away party for E. Part of me hopes E won’t really understand what’s going on…. For my sake.
What is this about? Why don’t you do it? What is this test? The crying when you are told no makes sense but this staring at me after you say “I’ll do it.” …. What do you you gain? Arrrrgh.
He’s also learning to leap off the ottoman with wild abandon. It’s one of those parenting dilemmas. He’s an active kid so I’m all for any sort of physical activity that will tire him out without risking permanent bodily injury, but how much freedom do you free?
…
I had to tell our current daycare or school as we like to call it around the house that we’d be switching centers in August. I already feel bad about E losing his friends but I didn’t expect the reactions from the staff. I mean it’s wonderful that they care about him but I have to look at the long-term situation. E will be going to school with kids he’ll enter elementary school with and they’re all local families plus the new school is less than a mile from the house which means a quick commute for him.
Wouldn’t you know it that last week E had to go and tell one of his teachers that he loved them too. Oh little man you’re killing me. Save that adorableness for your new teachers! The teacher told me that after he told her “ I love you M.” she started to cry and he said “Don’t cry, M.” This may sound strange but I’m slowly becoming aware of E as his own person. I’d only been focused on what he was learning in school. Before last week, I hadn’t really thought about how he might be affecting other people too.
They say they want to have a going away party for E. Part of me hopes E won’t really understand what’s going on…. For my sake.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Happy Father's Day
Since I won't be online tomorrow, to all you Dads of all shapes, sizes, and colors. You're awesome! Give the little ones and big ones a hug for me.
Cheers, Brian
Cheers, Brian
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