ESPN The Magazine has a great series of interviews posted right now with Costner, Tim Robbins and Ron Shelton.

Hard to believe that Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon met on the set of this film twenty years ago…and that both of them and Costner are now all Oscar winning actors (Costner for Dances with Wolves, Sarandon for Dead Man Walking, Robbins for Mystic River).

Bull Durham is the type of movie that remains timeless and very entertaining; it’s the film you stop channel surfing for on a Saturday afternoon, and one you enjoy regardless of whether or not you’re a baseball fan.

In May, the CA Supreme Court ruled that all Californians have the freedom to marry. Californians, human beings, people in love. Legally recognized and official freedom.

You may not agree with the new law, but I guarantee that tomorrow will become a part of U.S. history.  The date June 17, 2008 will be included in the textbooks of the next generation and beyond, regardless of the outcome from the ballot measure to overturn it in November.

I am overcome with emotion and pride right now; proud to be an openly gay American and very happy to have been raised and live in California. [If this is the first time you've visited this site, here are my initial thoughts about this state of change.]

That our nation is seemingly about to elect an African American candidate signals an obvious shift. That the Republican governor of this state recognizes that gay marriage will boost the economy is a surprising step in the right direction. That I can legally marry the love of my life is something I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to do.

I have never fought or asked for special rights. I was brought up to believe in equality across the board and without question, and now that has transformed from a pipe dream into reality.

Thanks for having me.

I wanted to let you know that I remember and appreciate every single afternoon, evening and weekend you spent at my soccer games from the early/ugly years through high school. While the sidelines down there in the OC were always crowded with Soccer Moms and Desperate Housewives, I was the only kid lucky enough to have my very own Soccer Dad. Still am.

You’ve always been my #1 fan, and believed in me even when I wasn’t playing sports or achieving success at anything in particular. It seems that your faith in me has never wavered, which is both a surprise and a blessing.

Even though you don’t want to admit it, you and are I very similar (and I’m not just referring to our genetically blessed Thighs of Superhuman Strength). It is only now, as an adult, that I can truly acknowledge, verbalize and respect that realization.

Just ten or so years ago, I would not have written a letter like this, nor would I have had the courage to. It took me far too long, but I finally recognized and extinguished my misguided anger and frustration with our relationship.  I was blind to your unconditional love. Now that my eyes are open, my heart is open to yours as well.

Love,

Jo

On tap/wishful thinking…

Of the many things I’ve been labeled, ‘handy’ is not one of them. But I was recently inspired to undertake the daunting task of transforming our junk room into a more practical space. It was a very cathartic experience. Not only did I have 12 banker boxes full of paperwork from the last 12 years of our life shredded, I actually built a desk and lamp (and by built I mean…followed instructions to put the pieces together using actual tools!). The entire room makeover took 3 weeks and cost a whopping $135. And I did it all quite stealthily while my better half was out of town. Given that I haven’t been able to do much for months because of my back surgery, it was a pleasant surprise and very well received.

On top of being a pack rat, I am a collector of entertainment and sports memorabilia. So the dusty bobblehead boxes and movie figurines safely encased in plastic are now stashed away on the shelves in the closet. There is far less clutter in here now. 

I’ve always had one wall in here with framed press kit and autographed photos. The black and white pictures are a nice contrast against the stormy blue gray paint.  But after I finished framing and hanging everything, I was very surprised to notice a glaring omission from my collection…not one photo or poster from Lost. How is that possible?