a funny thing happened

I had to run to best buy to pick up a couple of things today. As I was leaving and getting into my Jeep, a car pulls into the next space. Next thing I know, there's a guy at my window handing me a piece of paper with his email address on it. I'm thinking I'm about to get hit on when he says "I'd like to get to know you." Oh boy, here it comes... The next thing he says is "I dress too." It turns out he's a closeted cross dresser and is really wanting to meet other cds so he doesn't feel so alone in the world. I'm guessing he saw me in the store and was waiting outside for me to come out because he pulled in next to me as soon as I got in the Jeep.

Why I think legalized "Gay Marriage" is a bad idea

Now, before anyone jumps on me about this, read this in its entirety.

The gay rights people are attacking the problem from the wrong angle. Instead of fighting for legalized marriage for gays, they should be fighting for legalized "Civil Unions" for everyone, religious or not. They should be fighting to get government to stop recognizing "Marriage" officially.

Marriage is inherently a religious practice. By recognizing "Marriage" legally, the government is effectively violating our first amendment rights. Since marriage is defined as "between one man and one woman" by some religions, but not by all, the government is essentially saying that those religions which say it is alright for gays to marry are invalid. This is a law "prohibiting the free exercise thereof" and also "respecting an establishment of religion".

Now, if the government were to stop recognizing "Marriages" as being valid for legal purposes, and instead only recognized civil unions, then there would be no violation of our rights, and no religion would feel slighted either. In this scenario, you could choose to get married in the eyes of God within your church and following its own rules, but the paperwork that is legally filed with the state would be for that of a "Civil Union". If your religion doesn't recognize "Gay Marriage" then you couldn't get married within your religion. You could, however still have a "Civil Union". Marriage is in the eyes of God, and as such open to your particular interpretation of "God".

Making this one little change solves the whole "Gay Marriage" debate in such a way that neither side can argue it with any validity. Everyone who is "Married" would have a grandfathered in status of "CU" for "Civil Union" for all their tax documents. "M" could still be chosen if you like it, but it would be equivalent to "CU" in the eyes of the government with no distinction being made at all. Medical insurance, death benefits, Family Leave, Taxes, etc. could now be enjoyed by both partners since none of these "benefits" are of any religious significance whatsoever. A "Husband and Wife" (religious term) would be "Partners" (legal term) in the eyes of the government, the same as 2 men or 2 women.

This is what I am going to start pushing for, and if you agree, forward this idea to everyone you know and have them fight for it as well. Let's get the government out of religion once and for all, as it was supposed to have been all along.

The first amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Mississippi Town Destroys Westboro Baptist Plans

http://www.retirelikeme.com/2011/04/21/mississippi-town-destroys-westboro-bap...

Dracula

I just finished dracula. Good book. The end was a bit anti climactic, but I can see how this book inspired so many stories and movies. Excellent read.

Hop

I took the kids to see hop on Friday. It was kind of cute, but all hype. It was definitely over rated. I give it a 6.  It might be good on tv but I wouldn't spend money to see it.

It's Easter.

Well, the kids let us sleep in until 7:00 anyway.

The Scariest Gay Marriage Chart Ever

http://front.moveon.org/the-scariest-gay-marriage-chart-ever/?rc=fb.fan

I got a new phone

I just got an Android phone and am loving it! HTC inspire.

Kindergartner brings gun to Texas school, 3 hurt

My big question is how does a kindergartener get access to a loaded handgun in the first place? I have no issue with people owning guns, but if you have kids in your house, LOCK THEM UP!!!!!! (the guns, not the kids)

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HOUSTON_SCHOOL_GUN?SITE=AZMES&SECTI...

The new ger door attachment method.

Can we say ouch?

Strange Truths For Mature Humans

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired. 

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day. 

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to. 

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well. 

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option. 

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever. 

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time! 

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

a busy weekend

This weekend we went to Atlantic City to see Cirque du Soleil. A friend of ours has a timeshare so we stayed there for the weekend. Saturday night we all went to the pool. Since I planned on a Heather weekend, I brought my bikini along (pics in the blog). I didn't notice any unusual looks and our friends didn't either, so that was a good thing. Saturday we went to the Ripley's museum and had a good time. Afterwards we went back to the room and changed for the show and to get some lunch. After lunch we took the bus to the Boardwalk Hall and saw the show. I love seeing the Cirque and I think this is the second time I've gone as Heather. After the show we went back to the room and went to the pool again. My friend went along but went to the bar which is next to the pool and was talking to some other timeshare owners. Afterwards, he told me that one of the guys he was talking to kept asking if I was single and wanted him to introduce us. He was disappointed to learn that I was married but kept trying to get an introduction anyway. Our friends mentioned that they hung back and were watching for reactions when we were on the boardwalk and didn't see any at all other than the normal looks someone might give a person who catches their eye. We had a fun weekend and I would consider it a successful Heather weekend too. :)

Waiting for the cirque to start. :)

At the wyndham in A/C

Commodore 64

If you ever owned one, you 'll want to check this out...

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/the-new-commodore-64-updated-with-it...

next heavy launch vehicle?

http://www.spacex.com/falcon_heavy.php

busy weekend

This weekend was pretty busy. Saturday we built a play set for the kids and then on Sunday I got 2 cu. yd. of mulch to spread under it. I still need at least 2yd more mulch to get enough depth to cushion the ground, but that was enough for Sunday's work. I also bottled the sweet mead, red delicious apple wine and the peach wine. I racked all the rest of the wines while I was at it.

Mulch spread out

2yd of mulch

Today's project