About this whole marriage thing:

We were married in a no-witness civil ceremony six months ago. We did it for a number of reasons, not the least of which was our love for each other, but also for insurance benefits, power of attorney, the right to make decisions in an emergency, and so forth. In computing our federal taxes this year, we originally intended to file separately, but in a weird system that I still don't understand, we would end up owing the government money if we filed separately, but by filing jointly, we don't pay anything. We are rewarded by our partnership, to which there were no witnesses other than the clerk of the court. Our state doesn't require witnesses or even blood testing. It does, however, require that the active participants in the ceremony be of the opposite sex. (Strangely, it should be noted that while the restrictions on same sex marriage is clearly defined, the restrictions on marrying a blood relative, while technically grounds for anullment, are extraordianrily lax. I guess kissing cousins is okay for the state, as long as those cousins aren't gay.)

I bring this up not in a boastful way, not at all. I bring it up to remind you all that a prejudice does exist in this country today, where men and women are rewarded for doing what two people who have a lifelong commitment to each other would naturally want to do. Homosexuals in this country have never had the right to marry, and as such can never be rewarded in the way that we have. If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would choose to take my vows in San Francisco or Massachusetts, where lawmakers are working hard to change this inequality. I'm sure E would feel the same way. I'd like to think that equal rights under the law really means what it says. One day, I'm sure it will.

Okay, so this thing hasn't been updated in a while. I don't even know if it matters, since I don't think anyone reads this. In fact, I don't even know who knows about it.

Anyways, I figure I should post something, to stay up-to-date. So, here's something:

I thought this was a funny picture when I saw it. I love the look on Kucinich's face, although I can't really categorize it. Super Tuesday's coming up next week, and the four of them are going to be in another debate. *yawn* I'm sick of hearing about debates. That's bad, because when the field is this size, viewers might actually get a feel for the candidates are about, unlike when there were 10 contenders and they were all trying to have their views heard. My point is, even though this politiky stuff can get boring after a while, everyone who can should go & vote.

*end PSA*

Of all the smells to hate, why cucumbers?

Well...hopefully I/We will have something more interesting to say as time goes on. Unlike some bloggers I read/know, if I'm not going to be around to write, I'll let you know so well in advance. For now, and by now I mean "this weekend" I'll be working on translation and finishing Pirandello's "Six Characters In Search of An Author." I think I may try my hand at a Sestina again, though with a bit more adherence to meter this time around. Eye on the prize, kids!

That took way too much time to figure out...

Hello, World!

Or rather, I should say, Hello, J! You see, this is a lame ass present from me to Jeff, in honor of Valentines Day. I know if anyone else sees this, s/he will think "dang, what a crappy present," but don't worry, this isn't all I'm getting him. You see, I'm also planning on buying something for his laptop, whether it's a new Norton fixer-upper thingie or more RAM, or the new verson of Mac OS X that's been out for several months now but we haven't gotten yet.

Anyways, Happy Valentine's Day, Jeff! I wanted to set this up for you, in case you had any inclination to post any of your writings, musings or general thought of the day. I figure this would be an easy way of showing other people your writing samples, if nothing else. And don't worry, the Terms of Service says that whatever is posted is the property of whoever wrote it. So relax & enjoy.

I love you!