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

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?

At this very moment I am on a writing retreat, sitting in front of the ocean on a foggy Saturday morning. The setting and environment are picture perfect, along with the weather and tranquility.

Fresh air is something I tend to overlook and ignore, but it certainly awakens introspection and inspiration. Every few years I remove myself from work, home and life for a few days. It is a healthy and necessary mental break. Perspective is essential in order to embrace change, at least for me.

What is my point?

This morning I took a walk along the beach, and my iPod was clearly in sync with my spirit. Although on random shuffle, the songs could not have been more appropriate for exactly where I am right now, location-wise and emotionally.

p.s. I will be taking my very first yoga class this week. wish me luck; I am not the most flexible or fit kid on the block or in the office.

For those of you who are also fans of the show, I encourage you to read Grey Matter, the official Grey’s Anatomy writers’ blog.  Creator and show runner Shonda Rhimes wrote the finale, and she blogged about it there. I also recommend Grey’s Anatomy News, a great fan and news site for all things Seattle Grace.

Just as I choose to click away rather than respond when I strongly disagree with someone’s written opinion, I hope you do the same. If you leave an offensive comment or personal attack, I will not approve or post it. That is my prerogative as the owner of this site. There are plenty of other venues for you to share those sentiments, but not in my house. 

And now, back to regularly scheduled programming.

I am not naive; I realize that we live in a relatively safe social bubble here in Northern California. I’m very aware of that fact whenever and wherever I travel, especially to visit family in Georgia, South America and even the central coast of this very state. I also happen to live and work in a fairly red county, but frankly, my sexuality is immaterial no matter where I am. 

We are not politically active or out there, and we’re also not interested in public displays of affection. Yet I find myself being cautious and cognizant not to draw unwanted attention just about anywhere outside of the Bay Area; that I have to worry about my personal safety just because of who I am or perceived to be is frustrating yet necessary. At least for now.

I hope that at some point in my lifetime, the nation will look back upon the ridiculous defense of marriage with the same shame and outrage that we do now when we think about segregation. In the meantime, I will continue to live my very normal life, but with a spring in my step fueled by new optimism for an improved social climate.
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I apologize for the rambling nature of this post. Sometimes I need to just write from the heart, and do so without filter or concern for structure.

Thanks for reading. I will return to covering a much more comfortable subject later tonight: Lost.

Have a good evening.