Love Will Prevail

I love this video. I’ve watched it so many times and it makes me feel so happy, sad, and hopeful each time.

money

great, more expensive food, or well-priced, above-mediorcre food?

Ani

Did Ani’s music get suckier, or did I just outgrow her music?

What I Want to Do in 2009

1. Take riding lessons in June

2. Climb at a 5.11b level

3. Push back against post-college weight gain

4. Knit (and finish) an adult-sized sweater

5. Get married!

6. Hike Mt. Tam

7. Improve my one-legged, standing yoga poses

8. Add $5,000 to my emergency fund.

9. Read more books.

A Pretty Big Step, Considering it’s Florida

From AP:

“Miami Judge Rules Against Gay Adoption Ban

A judge on Tuesday ruled that a strict Florida law that blocks gay people from adopting children is unconstitutional, declaring there was no legal or scientific reason for sexual orientation alone to prohibit anyone from adopting.”

This is amazing.  Well, it really shouldn’t be amazing, it should be common sense, but then, Florida’s not exactly a hotbed of gay and lesbian inclusiveness.  The case will probably be appealed to the state’s Supreme Court, so keep your fingers crossed this ruling will be upheld.

The rest of the article is here, although I have to admit it’s kind of an annoying read because it includes numerous quotes from people for the ban, who spout nonsense like that this is a case of “classic judicial activism.”  God, I hate George W. Bush just for coining that stupid phrase.  I love how judges’ jobs are to make rulings, but somehow if it’s not a conservative ruling it’s goddam “judicial activism.”

equality!

State Supreme Court says same-sex couples have right to marry

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/15/BAGAVNC5K.DTL

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/S147999.PDF

I realize that this could all go away in November, but I’m reveling in the news right now.

Sparkles

When E and I first got engaged 3 years (!) ago, we were both in graduate school and dirt po’. well, not dirt poor, exactly, but we certainly didn’t have a lot of extra cash lying around. She proposed to me with a platinum band, which I love, with the intent of getting something more sparkly once we were more settled. I think she always meant that for me – she teases me for being more high maintenance than she is, and I guess to a certain extent that is true. I’m definitely more into shiny things, maybe material things, although I do think I keep it in check

So, when the time came to get new rings, E had long decided to get another band, perhaps with channel set diamonds. I was REALLy excited to find out about Brilliant Earth. I haven’t seen the movie “Blood Diamonds”, but had done some reading about them years before and felt strongly about not contributing to de Beers (although, technically, I was still participating in it. Plus, the environmental issues. But that’s another post). I made an appointment via email, and a representative responded within a few hours, and accommodated our schedules to set up a Saturday morning appointment.

When E and I arrived at the showroom, and Beth, a co-founder, was just fantastic. Really friendly, really approachable. As soon as Erin saw the engagement rings, her eyes widened, blinders came on, and she paid almost no attention to the wedding bands. She was attracted to some bezel set rounds, but then she put on a flat-shank ring with a small asscher in it, and declared that she saw Jesus lights and heard choir music, and that this ring was “the one”. She found a pave set band to go with it, and said she was done, this was what she wanted. I asked her, didn’t we say we were only going to get bands to save money, and she said, screw that, i want a diamond. Oh, silly girl.

So, it’s now been a few weeks, and she went back today to try on the ring again to make sure it really was for her. It still is. I have to admit it does suit her perfectly and looks very much at home on her hand. I, however, am still undecided even after visiting 8 stores.

Below is a picture of E’s chosen ring and possible wedding band.

First wedding-related purchase

One of the primary considerations that E and I mulled over was where to have the wedding and reception. We knew we wanted a venue that could accommodate both, and we knew we wanted it to be in Northern California. Other than that though, I was at a loss – wine country? City? Both had their appeals, and I thought that maybe wine country would be cheaper in the long haul, since we’d need fewer flowers and could get away with a more “rustic” theme.

I was so wrong! Napa/Sonoma as expensive!! Damn!! I don’t know why I expected less. Every venue and winery I looked at was around $8000 for the rental alone, if not more. Looking in the city wasn’t much easier. E and I are inviting about100 guests, and venues we looked at seemed to cater to either 65 or 250. We didn’t want the party to be overwhelmed by the space! For the longest time, we had our heart set on the observatory tower of the de Young Museum, with its fabulous views. The rental fee was steep, $5000, but that seemed to be the going rate for most venues in SF, so we were willing to suck it up. And, it’s only a half block from our apartment! They had some pretty strict restrictions on caterers though, which included buying out their liquor license if not going with the company that oversees the museum cafe. Over $1,000 just to buy out this license? Basically spending a grand for nothing? No thanks!!

We looked at two more spaces – 111 Minna and Limn Gallery. 111 Minna is a hip, popular art space that also hosts happy hour events during the week. On our visit though, our contact person was running late so we were left to look around on our own and talk to some other people working there. The main turn-off was that the place smelled like a bar. Which is fine for a general, fun event, but I want classy for my wedding. I realized after I left that I’d forgotten to look at the bathroom.

I knew Limn was the spot as soon as I walked in. Located in a more industrial part of the city, it was serene, sophisticated, and elegant – perfect! There is even an outside courtyard with a wood-burning stove! It accommodates more people than we’re inviting, but the space was intimate enough that I think we could make it work. The event coordinator answered all our questions and has been great to interact with so far. We left that day without putting down a deposit in an effort to play it cool, but I emailed her the next day to tell her that we’d found our wedding spot, and paid the deposit two days later. There’s no turning back now!