Not Much Up

There's not much going on, which is nice. We had to have the gas company come out last week cause it was only blowing cool air. Luckily it was just a horribly clogged air filter and wrong ducts turned on...apparently it's a maze of duct work down there.

The daughter is fixated on people who are wearing shorts and short-sleeves. She wishing I could be a priest in Texas...the winter has lost it's charm for her. And we've still got a ways to go...sigh, I'm with her.

The wife and I are going to try to get us outside a litte more, but it's hard with negative numbers and single digit numbers in the degree department. Luckily there's b-ball for the son for a few more weeks, and the daughter just started ballet.

Well, gotta run Martha Speaks is ending and that's my que to get us ready to head out the door for school.

Which Church Father are You?

You’re Origen! You do nothing by half-measures. If you’re going to read the Bible, you want to read it in the original languages. If you’re going to teach, you’re going to reach as many souls as possible, through a proliferation of lectures and books. If you’re a guy and you’re going to fight for purity … well, you’d better hide the kitchen shears. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

Letter to Editors and Representatives in My State

So I sent the below to all my state reps and the gov, then I added a paragragh and sent that to 3 local area papers.

I would urge people to show their support of equality of marriage rights for same-sex couples. My partner and I are new Vermonters, but within a week of arriving here had a small civil union ceremony with our two young children present. The fact that Vermont has civil unions was one of our primary reasons for choosing to uproot our family from Texas. We wanted and want to live in a state that exemplifies equality and concern for not only all its citizens but also for the care of the environment in which we live.

It is important to us for our children to see their family reflected within their community, and for us to be able to say to them that where they live is a place of great caring and mutual respect for everyone. To live in a place where the composition of their family is respected and that harm will not come to them because their parents happen to be lesbians.

[Added paragraph]
Some people fear that affording, allowing, granting, the giving of equal rights in civil marriage will some how weaken the bonds of their own marriage or their own religious beliefs. I can only speak for myself, when my partner and I held our own marriage ceremony in Texas with friends and family who flew in or drove in from various parts of the U.S. it was a powerful witness to us and them. Marriage in this sense is deeply spiritual and community binding, an act of love on display in the hopes of a shared moment in time where those who love us say we are with you in this journey. Our ability to have a civil union in Vermont legally cemented what was already bond within our hearts. My faith in God and my faith in my community where strengthened within these two acts.

Civil unions are a step in the right direction, but it should not be the last step. If civil unions afforded my family all the rights and privileges contained within the laws of civil marriage you would not be hearing from me today. However, the reality is that civil unions maintain a status quo of separate but not equal. Vermont once led the way, now it’s time to catch up with our neighbors.

+Gene Robinson's Speech Yesterday

If you're curious what he said here's a link to a blog that posted it (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2009/01/bless_us_with_a.html) or you can visit the Diocese of New Hampshire (http://www.nhepiscopal.org/).

+Gene posted some of his own thoughts before he gave the speech here: http://canterburytalesfromthefringe.blogspot.com/2009/01/washington-tales-from-closer-to-center.html

A lesson from last year

Well ok - from this December:
Faith and religion…I thought I could live with just the one, and learned I could not, then I thought I had to have both at the same time, but I'm coming to realize that I do not. That my faith must be separate from my religion or the other will erode – that my faith must feed my religion, else the other may corrupt.

The Year of the Ox

The Chinese New Year starts January 26th this year, and it's the Ox leading the way, maybe it tis that this bodes well.

Uh Huh Her - So Excited

The wife and I were watching the last episode of Season 5 of the L Word...and one of the extras is a video - so we watched it. And to my great delight Leisha Haley is part of a band again! And well at least to my ears the music is awesome (cd is on the way).

So for your listening pleasure, here's "Not a Love Song":

And She Drew...

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

The End of Christmas Vacation is Upon Mi Familia

This Christmas break has been great...the wife had this time off as well, so we didn't have to find a xmas camp for the kiddos. What I like best about the wife being able to stay home is all the extra time the kids get with us. Plus, added sweetness - I have fewer chores and can just come home and unwind with my family.

But, sadly the regimented schedule begins tomorrow...however, today's not over and it is an exceptionally sunny day.

Today I EMed at the 11am service and it went really well - I even managed to stay relaxed through the whole service (though I nearly closed the book too soon but caught myself - ching). Then I went on two EVs - it's been so nice returning to this ministry. And with this being my second round of visits the 4 month "break" (had to go through training and so paperwork had to be in place) rustiness has worn off.

I'm even using my heart rate monitor when I row - gotta get to and stay in the zone, especially if I want the beeping to stop :-) Now I need to incorporate some pilate sessions into my week to help stretch out my back and help my core out which will help out my back.

Today is one of contentment.