Monday Morning Weekend Wrap Up

I spent the weekend doing many things, hopefully I can remember it all:

Friday
Worked and ran a ton of errands with Corky, including a car wash and a trip to Costco. Worked more when we got home after picking up The Boys. Found out they did not go to swim practice on either day that they were with the ex, making me wonder if I should just pick them up and take them on his mornings. It is worth considering, as they are now acutely aware of not being the fastest swimmers, and expressing interest in improving their times.

Saturday
Second swim meet of the season and The Boys did well. The Oldest DQ'd Fly, but he probably swam faster. After that, we fought our way through traffic going to the county fair and dropped off The Youngest at a party with his friends. The Oldest and I fought back through traffic and picked up birthday presents for my dad and nephew. Had just enough time to shower, pick up Corky and then The Youngest before stopping at home to drop off cupcakes and pick up X-Box stuff and head to my folks' for a birthday dinner for three generations, My Dad, My Nephew and Me! All of our birthdays are during the same week, so we always do a combined dinner and celebration. We kept with the tradition of going around the table and saying what we love and appreciate about the birthday person. Because there are three of us, it is especially emotional. This year a few things struck me: My Sister voiced what I've been thinking for a while - that we are the only people with so many shared memories, and we know each other better than anyone else knows us. My Mom saying that I never cease to surprise her. My Nephew saying that he trusts me to always be there for him, and My Nephew (the other one), saying that he knows how hard it is to be a single mom, and he thinks I've done a great job raising The Boys into fine young men. Corky expressed her love of my kindness and broke down a bit. My Dad saying that I am envied by many for my qualities, including love, and honesty, and wishing he possessed some of those qualities. I love my family, as crazy as we might be at times, we do absolutely love one another.

Sunday
Slept way in after taking cough medicine, since my throat was killing me all of Saturday. Once I cleared all the mucus from my ENT, I found that my throat does not hurt any more (YAY!), and I felt well rested. I got dressed and whacked weeds in the front yard for three hours during the hottest part of the day, drank a ton of water, and got The Boys to help with the yard work and clean their rooms. I took a shower, and felt less like passing out from heat exhaustion. Got The Youngest to open the ibuprofen and drank more water. Corky came over and dinner was Casper dogs for the boys, and cole slaw. It was perfectly cool and light for the hellishly hot day. It didn't cool down until after 9pm.

It was also PRIDE weekend and the Parade in SF which I would have loved to have gone to, but The Boys are not quite old enough. The Oldest is, but The Youngest isn't I felt a little left out of it all, and ended up watching the parade on TV later.

More cough syrup, and it's time for my head to hit the pillow. I hope you all have a great week!

On Marriage

Firstly, congratulations to citizens of New York state in obtaining the right to marry a member of your same gender. This is another in an increasing list of places that support all of us in our pursuit of happiness. My state of California is not yet there, but we are certainly still working on it. There will be backlash (Michelle Bachman), but we will continue, for we must.

So, I haven't been blogging lately. I have been reading blogs, and maintaining two hand written journals, and intermittently logging my food intake. Not out of the ordinary, and I can use those as excuses for not writing here, but the truth is that I have been wading through emotional mud in my real life. Real life is messy, sometimes extremely so.

You know that shirt you've had for ever? The one that reminds you of how far you've come. The one you don't want to get rid of. It has rips and grease stains and no amount of washing, bleaching or pre-treating is ever going to get it clean. That shirt has decided to leave you. It has decided that it no longer wants to work on fitting with you. It has also moved on to another person who overlooks the stains, and holes, and finds it charming and helpful. The decades you have stayed with that shirt, good bad and ugly decades. Decades of picking up that shirt and wearing it, even when you didn't particularly feel like it. The time a few years ago when the shirt was spending time in another drawer, with another person, and you found out via e-mail. Through the counselling and the attempt to rebuild trust which created stains, and increased the depth of the holes in both of you. That shirt can no longer be a part of your life without you accepting your place as a perpetual victim, without losing a part of your self respect.

You have decided to stand up for yourself after years of just going along with whatever plan was thrown at you. You are now an ACTIVE participant in your life. You are not passive in this and you are strong. Know that you are strong.

For the fight against hatred and fear, and the path of love and light:

I took none of the photos on here today, though the last is a photo of me and The Oldest from here.

Wednesday Morning Weekend Wrap Up and Tableau Tuesday

Another lost weekend! It all started on Thursday. The Boys' class had an overnight camping trip to Pescadero. I took two days off of work (which necessitated working until 1am all days preceding the trip, as well as hours over the weekend catching up).

Thursday - Left The Dude at home, packed everything up and headed to the coast. Spent the morning on a Marsh hike looking at restoration efforts, and learned about Dodder. Had lunch on the cliffs overlooking the sea lions and the Monterey Bay. Even spied a ring around the sun! Spent the afternoon at the tide pools looking at starfish and anemones. Watched and helped The Boys set up the tent, had dinner, and hung out around the campfire listening to stories and watching skits.

Friday - Breakfast at camp and a redwood hike, followed by lunch and packing up to come home. The Youngest got carsick on the way home, and barfed up the Doritos, Cheetos, and Hawaiian Punch he had with lunch, then he slept all the way home (which took about an hour longer than it should have). Got to swim pictures with enough time for The Boys to change, shower and swim off the grime from camping. Rushed from there to final dress for The Oldest's theatrical debut. Got home with just enough time to shower and change for opening night, also had to get a tired and whiny Youngest ready to go. Opening night was really cool, grandparents, an aunt and uncle, cousins and a classmate were all there, and Sis even brought flowers - He is really completely at home on stage, and did an excellent job. Had to bribe the Boys for a weekend night with no movie because:

Saturday - The Dude had to work and The Youngest's final baseball game of the season was at 9:00, we were there at 8:30 for warm ups - which I had to use a donut bribe to get to on time! The end of season potluck and BBQ immediately followed with trophies and good food, sodas and playing on the playground. Got home mid afternoon, and tried to clean and do laundry, but didn't get far before it was time to drop The Boys at Oma's house for a sleep over and make it out to a friend's 40th birthday party.

Sunday - Finally got to sleep in, picked up The Boys at 11:00, so that I could drop The Oldest for closing matinee at 11:30. This one I video taped, and it was just as cute, and he did well again. A few more friends from school came, and we stayed at the nearby park to play for a couple of hours following the show. Once home, I worked for a couple of hours and had dinner, the rest of the laundry and even more cleaning that didn't get done. Did I mention that next weekend, when there is no theater, no baseball, and not yet a swim meet, I'm having a garage sale? I HAVE to get through all the crap and get it together to sell. GAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here it is Wednesday, late and I'm trying to just stay afloat in this sea of household chores - head barely above the surface, and yet am I doing any of the things on my list? Oh, no, I'm typing a blog. Hmmm - wonder why I'm so easily distracted.....

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

My Town Shoot Out - Water

Finally! Thank-You for your patience, and you really won't be sorry - I LOVE LOVE LOVE the water - always have, always will. As Aunt Sandy says, I have sand in my shoes. I had a very difficult time picking just a few images. Some are here at home, some are not, but each has a story to it.
I recommend going to look at everyone's home towns. You can find us all in the comments of Patty or Reggie Girl's Blogs, or in the sidebar from Gordon or GingerV. Please to enjoy!

Water takes many forms and serves many purposes in our lives.
It entertains us and causes us to pause and reflect as shown at this fountain/kinetic sculpture located at Dublin Civic Center.We can ride on water like this surfer at Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz:We can shoot it at our friends at local parks:We can use it to cool down and exact revenge on our brother: Or to just sail away from the Berkeley Marina: Water also takes many forms - It will shoot our of the ground at Old Faithful in Yellowstone: Or fall off of a cliff: Or bubble up in geothermal pools: It also is quite beautiful in a frozen state near Tahoe:It comes rolling in on little cat feet toward the windmill in Golden Gate Park:And without it, my backyard view wouldn't have rainbows:It sustains sea lions in Santa Cruz:Freshwater turtles in San Francisco:And nothing beats a sunset like this one in Half Moon Bay:

But now for the entire reason this post is so late. Water is the inspiration for work like this Historical Landmark - The Sunol Water Temple. I remember my dad bringing us here when I was a kid, and how impressed I was by his knowledge of the waterways that intersect at this temple. I was utterly amazed at the sheer beauty of this monument to water! I went to the temple today to photograph it specifically for this theme. I have been waiting for a time to go and to have a reason, but I shouldn't wait for these opportunities. I hope the Water District sees fit to restore the picnic grounds out here, as I would love to bring my boys - and they would love it as much as I do! In researching the history of the temple, I found out that it was designed by Willis Polkand inspired by the Vesta of Tivoli. It was originally completed in 1910, and restoration was completed in 2000.The inscription around the exterior and mirrored on the interior reads:
I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry lands springs of water.
The streams whereof shall make glad the city.
S.V.W.C.
MCMX
The first line is from Isaiah 41:18b
The second line is from Psalm 46:4
S.V.W.C. is for Spring Valley Water Company
MCMX is Roman Numeral 1910

Three Fish for Gordon:The detail at the tops of the columns is impressive!The ceiling, restored to it's incomplete completeness is inspiring!When I was a kid, this was all rushing water. Because the main water artery is now underground, this has been reduced to a trickle, but it's still really cool.I cannot stress enough how amazing and beautiful and serene a place this is!Not just any pool of water!And the final image of today, reflecting my homage to water in all its forms and uses, without it we would be a desert of raisins for sure!Happy Weekend all!

Hypocrisy - Seriously NSFW

Warning - may not be safe for work:

I've read some of the feedback on this PSA and much of what is being missed is the intent to highlight the hypocrisy of using the bible as a justification for discrimination. Biblical scholars have pointed out that the bible contradicts itself, and it is the interpretation of scripture that causes much hand wringing, not to even mention the translations that have been wrong, and the MANY books intentionally left out of the bible - but that is a soapbox for another person, and another day.

Another Video by the same group, which will likely upset many people:

Again pointing to the hypocrisy of it all. The other criticism I've read is that these videos will only reach the people who already believe in civil rights for all. That may be true, but still worth addressing.

My issue is that this can be seen as less of an invitation to intelligent discussion, and more divisiveness among humans. I understand why there is anger behind each side, and would LOVE to see something bringing the sides together.

This one won't do that either, but I still like this singer, even if she is a train wreck.

My Town Shoot Out - Graveyards

Well, this week I made it, on time even. Earlier today I found out that one of the bloggers I follow has cancer, and it bums me out. I know he'll be ok and his path will be his, but still I wish there was more I could do. He is also a participant in the My Town Shoot Out Challenge, so send your good vibes his way!

This week is all about our home town graveyards. There is only one in Dublin, and it is behind Old St. Raymond's Church (which was a part of the Churches a few weeks ago). I have photographed many cemeteries, and I find them to be generally very peaceful places. They can sometimes be kind of spooky, and sometimes very sad but overall, I find them a great place to wander around.

Here is the sign at the official entrance:

The Historical Marker for the cemetery:

A shot of the back of St. Raymond's:

Some picnic tables along the creek, with a view of the graves:

One of the older and repaired headstones:

I think this is a lovely plot with the flagstone walkway and bench in the shade of a tree:

There are quite a few very large, very old trees that provide a mostly shady environment:

I found the difference in ground cover selection to be interesting:

I am fascinated by this iron cross and have taken several photos of it. In fact, every time I am here, I take a shot of it.

The founding families each have these carved wooden signs at their family plots. The signs detail the family origin and involvement in Dublin's history. I thought a slideshow would be a good way to show them to you:

As the majority of the founders were of Irish origin, I had this song going through my head the whole time:

I also wanted to include a few shots that were published in a book that included photos of National Cemeteries, and essays from famous Americans. I took these photos of Golden Gate National Cemetery and San Francisco National Cemetery. The profits from the book go toward scholarships for children of Veterans injured and killed in battle.

Things that make me happy

This is today's:

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

I needed that bit of musical theater!

Today was fairly hum drum. I actually went into the office and had a nice visit with a fellow employee. Saw another one cleaning up and packing her office. She's out at the end of December. That's a bit of a bummer to watch. Was tired most of the day and yawning.

I did talk to sis this morning. She wanted to see Twilight tonight, but I'm without a car or a baby sitter, so no dice, though I told her I'd go on Sunday.

Disappointed

I am disappointed in my state of California. This is the "sunshine" state, and home to MANY rainbow flags, yet there is a slim majority of people in this great state who believe that an existing right must be taken away from our citizens.

Proposition 8
It is not about what is taught in school.
It is not about religion.
It is not about forcing anyone to do anything.

Proposition 8 supporters managed to convince people that there should be fear about gays and lesbians. That their lives and the lives of their children would be taken over by the so called "gay agenda". They are wrong, and what they are teaching their children about love and tolerance and acceptance is wrong.

My continuing hope is that all people be treated with love and care, and that who you love will not cause persecution. I want my own children to be free to marry who they love. I want the children of intolerant people to know that they are not alone, and they are loved as well. I really do not want to see us going back to a time when teenagers thought it was appropriate to commit suicide, rather than be who they are.

The teen years are difficult enough, without the knowledge that your own government does not protect your rights.

Shame on California, shame on all of us.