Five Towns Barbie

Barbie, Mattel's almost anatomically correct doll who just turned 50, is apparently Jewish.

Who knew?

Six years ago, the Saudi Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, aka their morality police, banned Barbie because they considered her to be a Jewish toy wearing revealing clothes.

So, rail-thin, leggy blonds look like Jewish women to the Saudis. Maybe they should attend a Hadassah meeting with my mother.

A Spoon With a View

I'm really proud of myself when I garnish my cereal with a few raspberries, but AnnaTheRed turns bentos into full-blown pastoral scenes.

With what's currently in my refrigerator, I could probably create something that resembles a New Jersey landfill.

Exasperated by Abuse of the Aspirated H

This sign threw me into a Strunk and White funk. I just hate the use of "an" before an aspirated "h".

(Yeah, I know it's common on the other side of the pond, but those crazy Brits also drive on the wrong side of the road.)

When the "h" is aspirated, or breathed out as you pronounce the word, I think it should be treated as a consonant.

A historic event happened here.

When the "h" is silent, and the word begins with a vowel sound, then the use of "an" makes sense.

Meet me in an hour. After I've calmed down.

New Year's Mikveh

There were actually eight of us who plunged into the 55-degree water today. This group is the original four from last year.

It was chilly, invigorating, and completely insane. And the perfect way to begin the new year.

Chanukah Humpday

It just so happens that the humpday, or 5th night, of Chanukah falls on Christmas Day.

So to celebrate the 25th of December, I'd like to share one of my favorite Chanukah songs, Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song."

Whatever and wherever you're celebrating today, have a joyous occasion.

And if you're stranded at O'Hare, the cleanest bathrooms are in Terminal K.

Deck the Halls With Boughs of Challah

Like many Jews, my family had two sets of dishes.

Unlike many Jews, our second set was the Spode Christmas Tree collection.

Apparently, we couldn't see the Haaretz for the trees.

Oy, Caramba!

In case you're wondering what I want for Chanukah, add this to your list: the 1958 Irving Fields Trio album, Bagels and Bongos.

So, who's Irving Fields? Well, he's a 93-year-old pianist and lounge singer and the guy who wrote the YouTube theme song.

I mean, who wouldn't want an album of Jewish-inflected Latin jazz?

A Day Without Naked Lesbians

So this is the photo the San Diego NBC affiliate chose to use on its website as a teaser for the "A Day Without a Gay" story.

According to KNSD, the real story is "A Day Without Post-Coital Naked Lesbians."

From the Dept. of "What If..."

If the California school system added Intro to Gay Marriage into its required curriculum, this is how a quiz might look:

1. Your lesbian aunt and her partner of 25 years are getting married. An appropriate gift would be:

A. A gift certificate to L.L. Bean

B. Baccarat stemware

C. A Hitachi Magic Wand

D. A Subaru


2. Two bears (you should know what bears are by now) are planning their wedding. Choose the most likely main course for the rehearsal dinner:

A. Vegan casserole

B. Wild salmon, Swiss chard

C. Something with foam

D. Double cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes from In 'n' Out Burger


3. You arrive at a lesbian wedding and are unsure of where to sit - the bride's side or the other bride's side. To make your decision you:

A. Ask one of the ushers which bride is the top

B. Consider the side with the fewest exes of either bride

C. Avoid the drumming circle

D. Flip a coin

Got Milk?

Saw "Milk" yesterday. Took me back to my baby dyke days when we all wore flannel and had the same haircut.

I'd just moved to San Diego in 1978, and I vividly remember the No on 6 campaign and Milk's assassination. The parallels to what's going on now with Prop 8 are uncanny.

No Carb Left Behind

This year at Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my health, my families, both bio and chosen, and for all the opportunities I've been given.

I'm also thankful that I won't be anywhere near an airport, shopping mall, grocery store or amusement park between now and Monday.

And, finally, I'm thankful that for the next few days "carb" is not a four-letter word.

Shake 'n Bake

It's not enough that we're in the midst of yet another fire-breathing Santa Ana. Now we get to feel the earth move, too.

What's next? Frogs? Locusts? Boils?

Saturday's March - The Money Shot

Source: San Diego Union Tribune

San Diego had the most participants of any march in California and across the U.S.

Police Estimate 25,000 at San Diego Equality March

It was overwhelming to be surrounded by so many people, gay and straight, who were marching for the same cause - equality for all.




Chris and Dan - married in June and together for 13 years - wore shirts that Chris designed (see previous post). And Chris donated his design to march organizers who printed it on many of the volunteers' t-shirts.





The whole day was exhilarating and emotional. I felt empowered and hopeful as I marched with friends and strangers.

But I have to throw in a little kvetch about the weather. Enough with the Santa Anas already! It was easily 475 degrees on that pavement. I felt like an out and proud woodfired pizza.

For more details and additional photos, visit Rex Wockner's blog.

EHFAR

Banner design: Christopher Dye

Everything happens for a reason.

Not everyone agrees with that theory, but it makes sense to me. For example, because Prop 8 passed, gay activism has been reborn.

Because Prop 8 passed, a 26-year-old Seattle woman created Join the Impact, a movement that has inspired worldwide protests against Prop 8 and other exclusionary, anti-gay laws.

Because Prop 8 passed, its aftermath has reached far beyond California. People who might never have gotten involved in political causes are joining together, gay and straight, to work for equal rights. There's new energy. Grass-roots movements are popping up everywhere.

Because Prop 8 passed, conversations about gay rights are happening in unlikely places. People who've never met a gay person are getting to know their gay neighbors. Closeted gays are rethinking their need to stay silent.

And that's why I believe Prop 8 passed for a reason.

Even if you don't believe in the EHFAR theory, you can't deny that sometimes our perceived insurmountable challenges yield amazing results.

National Protest Against Prop 8

More information here

Bittersweet Victory

It's hard to feel total election elation knowing that my home state of California - the so-called land of fruits and nuts - voted to take away the right of same-sex couples to marry. But we're not done yet; The issue is going back to court.

Looks like Sisyphus needs to get back to the gym.

A Great Miracle Happened Here

Finally, the dreidel lands on gimel.

I've Got Shpilkes in the Geneckteckessoink

I don't know about you, but I can't focus on anything today except the election. And I can't sit still, which is very difficult when I'm supposed to be deep into writing code and editing other people's grammar.

Plus, reading about all the voting glitches around the country is freaking me out.

No more caffeine pour moi.

Candlelight Rally Against Hate

Check out Rex Wockner's blog for photos of Nov. 1 No on 8 protest in Hillcrest (San Diego's gayborhood).

Yep, that's me - the big homo protester - in second photo.