Thursday, June 26, 2008

I just want to say that the Fiero and Merrit children are quite popular here at Harborview. Many of my co-workers know the kids by sight, and whose kids they are (Davinie vs Sabrina). The Morgan ballet recital video has been shown over a dozen times, and is considered by all to be absolutely adorable. I make them watch both versions of it, with some extra narration on my part.

So.....fellow bloggers and sisters......keep up the photo and video posting!! They are watched!!
Today we are awaiting a ruling on the Sonics vs City of Seattle lawsuit in federal court. The trial has been a lot of mud slinging and finger pointing, but I think there is a decent chance for us (the City) to win. Winning this case means that the Sonics must remain in Seattle for the next two seasons. In that time period, it is entirely possible that the city/county/state will come up with some sort of arena deal that will keep the Sonics here for good. Also, the NBA board of governors will have to vote again next April to allow the Sonics to move to Oklahoma City. If we have an arena deal here, there is no way they will allow it. Seattle is a much bigger, much broader TV market than OKC, with a much bigger potential revenue pool.

So. Rooting against the Sonics today, so that I can root for the Sonics for years to come.

I went to the trial one day last week, in my Ray Allen jersey. I watched a billionaire lie through his teeth on the stand. He has decided that the truth is what he wants it to be, and is sticking to his story. It will be very disheartening if we lose this lawsuit based on lies that are obvious to everyone. However, there is another lawsuit pending in a few weeks. That one is Howard Schultz (former owner) vs the Sonics, contending that they did not live up to their end of the deal (specific section of the contract required the new owners to make a 12-month good faith best effort to keep the team in Seattle, which we have documented proof was not what occurred). He is suing to undo the sale of the team. It is tricky, since he also sold the Storm (who were later sold to local ownership), but another avenue towards keeping the team. I know it is totally a PR stunt by Schultz to show that it is not his fault the Sonics are leaving and that he did everything he could....but it just may work. I think he has a decent case.

Anyway, Seattle is a total soap opera right now. THere are emails from the OKC owners alluding to moving the team to OKC, where the main owner says he is "a man possessed' in reply to other owners asking about how they are going to get the team moved to OKC.....he now has said in his sworn testimony that what he MEANT by being a man possessed was that he was a man possessed to find a way to keep the team in Seattle. Even though he was replying to a string of emails about moving the team to OKC. Total lie, but he keeps spouting it.

We also had a Sonics rally on the steps of the courthouse after the first day of the trial. I went, to be there, to do my part. They estimate 2-3 thousand people showed up. A good sized crowd, considering that they expected only a few hundred.

So. Wear some green and gold and send good thoughts my way. We will likely get a written verdict, which would mean we get it tomorrow, but it is possible to get one this afternoon.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Done and Done

Despite the fact that I am quite adamantly agnostic, I have always held a soft spot in my heart for the Mormon church. They were there for us when we were kids, providing food and support when we needed it. They met us at the airport in Hawaii and made things as smooth as they could for Mom. I know this. I appreciate it.

For a long time now, I have had some issues with the politics of the church, including their discriminatory practices, but I stop people badmouthing them, I point out good things.

No more. I am done. Seeing this article ends it for me. When a church takes it upon themselves to enter into a legal battle, from the very head of the church on down, that is totally inappropriate. And when they decide to try to use their power and their numbers in such a hurtful way, it is just plain wrong. Now, I know that many other churches have similar teachings, etc, etc, etc, but there is not generally a proclamation coming from the very top of the church telling people to go out and fight to ban gay marriages.

And in case my views are not crystal clear, I am a wholehearted proponent of gay marriage. Allowing two people in a committed relationship to strengthen their bond to each other is a great thing. This country NEEDS people in committed relationships, working together, being in our community. The heterosexual divorce rate is over 50%. How could allowing same sex marriages POSSIBLY destroy the sanctity of marriage??? It is quite possible that you could learn something from a committed heterosexual couple. I work with many people who are in committed relationships, some very long term, here in Seattle. I don't know what they would choose to do should marriage become a legal availability here for them, but I do know that I would support them.

Keep your nose out of the business of others, and be happy for people who are just trying to be happy in their own lives.



Mormon church enters Calif. gay marriage fight
By JENNIFER DOBNER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking California members to join the effort to amend that state's constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

A letter sent to Mormon bishops and signed by church president Thomas S. Monson and his two top counselors calls on Mormons to donate "means and time" to the ballot measure. A note on the letter dated June 20 says it should be read during church services on June 29, but the letter was published Saturday on several Web sites.

Church spokesman Scott Trotter said Monday that the letter was authentic. He declined further comment, saying the letter explains the church's reasons for getting involved.

The LDS church will work with a coalition of churches and other conservative groups that put the California Marriage Protection Act on the Nov. 4 ballot to assure its passage, the letter states.

In May, California's Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, saying gays could not be denied marriage licenses.

"The church's teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and the formation of families is central to the Creator's plan for His children," the four-paragraph letter states.

"We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to ensure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman," church leaders say in the letter. "Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage."

California Mormons - there are more than 750,000, according to a church almanac - have heard and heeded similar calls from their leaders before.

In 2000, a letter from the pulpit asked members to give time and money in support of Proposition 22, a ballot measure prohibiting California from legally recognizing gay marriages performed outside the state. It passed but was later struck down by the courts.

The LDS church also fought same-sex marriage legislation in other states during the 1990s. As recently as 2006, it signed a letter to Congress seeking an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The latest letter is a disappointment to members of Affirmation, an international support group for gay, lesbian and transgender Mormons. Last month, Affirmation called on the church not to meddle in California politics.

"This initiative will hurt so many people," executive director W. Olin Thomas said in a statement Monday. "The California law affects civil marriage; it has no effect on any religious institution or official."

Affirmation leaders are scheduled to meet with the head of LDS Family Services, a church social services agency, in August to begin a conversation meant to bridge the divide between Mormonism and gay members hurt by church teachings that homosexuality is a sin.

It will be the first meeting between any arm of the church and Affirmation, which was formed in secret in the 1970s by students at the church-owned Brigham Young University in Provo.

"We're not going to let this stand in the way," Affirmation spokesman David Melson said. "The church has said they are open to finding new avenues and new solutions to minister to gay members, and we are taking them at their word."

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Saturday was my fifth wedding anniversary. Ethan and I are not big celebrators of pretty much anythings, which I think is fairly well known. It just feels kinda silly to buy each other things.....with our own money. Like me buying Ethan a gift for $50, he sees the money come out of the account, he worked to GET that money...just feels kinda silly.

So. Not big celebrators. That having been said, we DO like to do nice things for each other, and spend TIME with each other, rather than money ON each other. Does that make sense?? Sorta?

Anyway. We spent the day together. It was (finally!!) a nice day out, so we drove over to Lincoln Park, past the Hall at Fauntleroy where we were married. Parked in a disabled parking spot, then strolled along the path all the way to the saltwater pool at the far end. Stopped a lot, since it was Ethan's first offical day of being off crutches (he sorta weaned himself off over the week, but stopped altogether on Saturday). Had a really nice chat about where we are in life and where we see ourselves in the future. A beautiful day with my beautiful husband.

Afterwards, we rented a movie at Blockbuster, then got dressed up and headet out to Salty's on Alki for dinner. A very good seafood restaurant with million dollar views of downtown. A bit $$$, but totally worth it. I had the filet mignon and Ethan had the Copper river salmon, supposed to be the best salmon out there. Delicious.

Came home afterwards, watched the movie (which was crappy.....National Treasure:Book of Secrets. The first one was goofy, but this one is pretty dumb), and hung out. My most favorite thing to do is be at home, hanging out with Ethan. And that is why we are still happy after five years.


I looked up the traditional and modern anniversary gifts, and found that the traditional gift was wood, and the modern gift was a clock. Ethan decided to think outside the box and give me a cold instead, so I spent Sunday lounging around and being tired while he went out on a boat with some friends.

All in all, a great weekend. Ethan's birthday is today, and unless he makes some last minute plans, we are celebrating by.....watching a NASA special we have recorded on our DVR. I know it is not what ALL couples do, but it is what WE do....and I like it this way.

I think sometimes about how Mom always wanted gifts that we MADE for each other. I kinda feel that way, too. I want to DO things for Ethan, or spend time MAKING something for him. We go on vacations with our gift money and spend TIME with each other. So much more special than something he could wrap up and hand me. Although I have already told him that someday I would like another ring for my right hand. Someday.

Monday, June 09, 2008




I may or may not have loaded this layout up before....but here it is again (if so). These are some more layouts for my Australia album. Sadly, I am still working on day 3. Of 14. And I still have probably 5 or 6 more layouts just for THIS day. But, that means I have lots of pretty pictures to play with, so it is all good.