I am not kidding...

So, back when we were trying to get 8YO (then 6 or 7YO) jazzed about moving, we promised that we would build him a playhouse/fort of some kind. Here it is Spring - well, according to the calendar anyway - and we have to start thinking about how we're going to manage this. Here is what we're going to attempt. It's great because it doesn't rely on nails in trees, etc. Any carpenters out there feeling the need for a little Maritime getaway? Just kidding. But, yes, it's true. We're going to attempt this. I would have looked forward to it back when I could actually get down on my knees. This will be interesting...! I promise photos of whatever it is we end up creating. Yes, photos of the fort, not of me on the floor unable to get up.

The Downside of the Internet?

Let me say first that I'm not posting so that folks can tell me I'm biased, etc. I know I'm biased. I don't care for people who support candidates who actively work to legislate my second class citizenship. Now, that being said, I really am puzzling over the following.

I had several roommates in college. One we'll call W. We lived together our junior year and actually graduated sitting next to each other. We last saw each other in the early 90s when she, with her husband, young son, and nanny, came to Tucson. We were last in touch around 1998. A couple of days ago I received a message from her via LinkedIn. She had simply typed my name in a search and found me. I wrote back, she wrote a longer update, I replied with a longer update. Let me add that I was "out" to her in college and that's never been an issue.

I had mentioned that we were going to NYC in April as P's graduation present. She hadn't mentioned that they no longer lived in North Carolina and that, in fact, they now live in Connecticut. She wrote back that they lived only an hour by train outside the city and that we should come visit. I wrote back that we will only be there for a day and half, but that if she wanted to come in and meet for lunch, great.

We're staying outside the city in Stamford, CT on Thursday and Saturday, but in the city on Friday night. Realizing that she had said "small New England town," I did a whitepages search and, lo' and behold, they live 12 miles from where we're staying. Then, because it's what I do, I typed her husband's name into Google to see what he was doing these days. Don'tcha know it? On the very first page of hits, visible without even clicking the link, was the fact that he had contributed to the GOP. In fact, I clicked and then saw that he has given the maximum allowable contributions to the Guiliani for president campaign, the Shays for Congress campaign, and the 2004 Bush campaign. Ick.

So, here's the deal. I don't really care to spend one minute of my life with someone who supports people who have, among other heinous acts, actively sought to limit my civil rights. But, I know that W - as in my roommate, not the other "W" - while she is likely a "fiscal conservative Republican," is also anxious to see me, meet the family, etc.

She may well suggest that we meet for dinner or that we come over. I would be fine seeing her and catching up - I don't see how I can avoid it at this point. But, I really don't want to spend time with her husband or in her house. But, I'm not sure that I can avoid that either, at least not without somehow raising the issue of their/his politics. I have a few ideas regarding what I might say. But, I'm wondering what you think. Any suggestions?

One of course is, "Suck it up. You won't see them again." Another is that plus "teachable moment." There are others. I'd love to hear what you think.

As promised...

It's not everyone's style, I know, but we love it. As those of you who have been checking in for a while know, we had a local guy build us a table. He delivered it this afternoon. Woo-hoo! P is thrilled because she no will no longer be knocking her knees on the end of the folding table we've been using.


Next are the chairs and the bookcases. Eventually we'll actually be unpacked and it will actually look like we live here!

It's a go!

I just bought my ticket! I leave for Toronto very early in the morning on 11 June. That way I arrive around 7 am and have the entire day. Don't worry, I won't call anyone or show up on your doorstep at that hour! I'll have two full days in Toronto and then, mid-day on Saturday I'll head over to the wedding and spend the night there. For my return on Sunday, the 14th, I went ahead and booked a flight with a change in Ottawa so that I could sleep in, have plenty of time to get back to Toronto, and still get home at a reasonable hour - and get the cheapest flight. Car rental is set. Now all I have to do is call the "wedding hotel" to book my room for Saturday night. Fab!

In other news, it was 9/48 today, and glorious! Of course I chose to spend all day at a conference on Community Forests. It was really informative and well done, but when I walked outside at 4:00 I thought, "Oh, my! I should have been outside all day!"

That's about it for the moment. I just wanted to post that I'm really going to make it to Toronto this time! Woo-hoo!

Finally!

On 24 March 2008, I met with my dean to discuss my proposal for the academic years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Last week, after a ridiculously long process of back and forth, here and there, I received a letter outlining approval of the proposal. It will enable me to teach online from here in New Brunswick, spending 3+ weeks in Saint Paul in January teaching on campus during our short winter term. Many of you can well imagine what a relief that is!

Some of you might ask, "Why not cut the cord and get a job in New Brunswick?" Well, aside from the fact that I actually like developing and offering online courses, as a tenured full professor - never mind the economic situation - it is virtually (no pun intended) impossible for me to get a full-time academic job here.

So, what happens after August 2011? It is unlikely that they will permit me to do it any longer, especially since they can hire someone new and pay them a little more than half of my regular salary. I hesitate to put this in writing, but...

I am considering, with an appropriate level of hesitation, doing what it takes to practice law here. I'm still licensed in Minnesota. I've decided to fork over the big bucks to the National Committee on Accreditation and at least find out how much additional coursework they will require of me. Probably between 30 and 45 credits, but if I could do that while working online and having an income...who knows. And, if I could position myself to be articling during the second year I'm teaching or the year immediately following, I'd have something I could do, market permitting, beginning fall 2011. As with everything, it will be interesting to look back at this in a couple of years and see what's really transpired.

Well, that's it for a quick Sunday morning update. We're having friends over for brunch early this afternoon so I'd best get back to picking things up, etc. P just made blueberry muffins - we froze lots of New Brunswick blueberries last summer! - so that was a good reason for a break!

Another reminder...

As some of you know, we've had more than a few, shall we say, bumps in the road to our getting settled here. None of them has made me seriously question our decision to move. But, it's sometimes nice - in a twisted kind of way - to be reminded what a good decision it truly was. Case in point - Pam's House Blend. I check in every now and then because it is very up-to-date and it's really tough to keep up with GLBT news via the mainstream press. But, the last couple of times I've been reading, I've had the thought, "I'm so glad we got out." I mean, it's insane - the things that continue to happen down there. Ugh.

It's Sunday. I should be installing more ClosetMaid stuff or folding clothes, but I'm being lazy. Three cheers for just being lazy on a Sunday. It's taken me years (and questionable health) to just be lazy. The fire is going, just enough to take the chill off. P is baking bread. 8YO is playing the Wii. I'm going to go read about gardening. It was snowing this morning, probably about 8 cm. But, it's already melted off the railings, etc. and is 3/36 right now. Woo-hoo. I've also finished a rather voluminous document that I will be hand delivering to our builder's lawyer tomorrow. Okay, so I'm not 100% lazy. Maybe when that gets resolved - not that I'm hopeful that will happen soon - my perpetually stiff neck will go away.

I am so very ready for spring. Friday we picked up a bunch of seeds and the things we need to start them inside. We're going to start square foot gardening with two 4x4 boxes. Yesterday we picked up a really nice rosemary plant - it smells delightful! Since 8YO didn't have ski class, we also went to the Farmers' Market and picked up some gouda, Vlaskaas, smoked salmon, samosas, and a pork roast. I just love our farmers' market. And, we went to choose the stain for the table that we're having made. We'll have in less than two weeks. Can't wait! I'll post a photo when it's here.

So, there you have it. Even though we're back to a few weeks of meeting the morning bus in the dark, I love having more light in the evening. Love it, love it, love it. I sense a better mood already!

March already?

Time out for a quick check-in...

1. It's snowing. Again. But, tomorrow they're calling for 8/46 and sunny.

2. 8YO is a Pokemon addict. It's hopeless, really.

3. I am really looking forward to meeting more of the expat family in June! Toronto, here I come!

4. The Harper government's actions re resisters pisses me off.

5. Filing taxes in two places also pisses me off - in a different way.

6. My builder has beyond pissed me off.

7. It looks like the California Supreme Court will probably piss me off.

8. I have had a stiff neck for days. It just won't let up. See #s 4, 5, 6, and 7, above.

9. Where does the expression "piss me off" even come from?

10. 8YO will be playing soccer and swimming this summer. Thank goodness. See #2, above.

11. I'm looking forward to our trip to NYC in April. Not the drive itself, but "the trip."

12. Spring - well, calendar-wise - arrives this month. Hallelujah!

13. I enjoy facebook and how it let's me keep in touch with folks. I don't care what the naysayers say.

14. Fredericton has a great farmers' market and a couple of nice organic shops.

15. Fredericton needs a really, really good pizza joint. Note to self: See #11, above.

16. We'll be getting our dining table this month. Photo when it arrives.

17. We'll be getting our sofa next month. Yes, we do have some furniture.

18. I've been thinking about what I would do if I had unlimited funds...

19. But, I do not.

20. For the first time in my life, I'm looking forward to working in the yard. Seriously!

Thursday Miscellany

Early today the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case(s) regarding Proposition 8. I wasn't able to watch - overloaded server I'm guessing - so I've been surfing around, looking to see what the pundits, etc., are saying. Here's one of my favorites, from the ACLU:

"This case is not just about marriage or gay people. If a simple majority of the voters can take this core right away from gay people, it can take any right away from any other group as well (Kenneth Starr – who argued for the supporters of Prop 8 – acknowledged this in court today). If Prop. 8 is upheld, then Californians could, for example, vote to take religious freedom away from Muslims, or free speech rights away from women, or the right to vote away from Chinese-Americans. This case is important for every Californian: it’s about whether the limits we’ve set on the power of the majority have meaning.

The California courts have a solemn responsibility to enforce the state constitution to protect the rights of all people, regardless of popular opinion. We hope the court will recognize that it is not just the rights of lesbian and gay people, but the rights of all Californians that it must protect by striking down Proposition 8."

Exactly.

My (printable) response? One word. Canada.

Since I was unable to get a connection to the video, we had a nice afternoon out. Bought seeds for the garden, essential oils for the homemade green cleaning products, had snacks at our favorite coffee shop, ran into a friend, and it was sunny. Excellent! Tomorrow we're due for more snow and rain, but today was beautiful. But, Saturday - they're calling for a high of 9/48 and sun. Woo-hoo! Hopefully, the shape of things to come.

Even with a few physical ailments of late and the continued nightmare of the house, I find that glimpses of spring are making me thing we might get through this after all...

Uniting American Families Act

February 19, 2009

ABA, Task Force Express Public Support for UAFA

In an outstanding development this week, the American Bar Association adopted a resolution supporting immigration rights for lesbian and gay binational couples:

RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association supports the enactment of legislation and the implementation of public policy to enable a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident who: (1) shares a committed, intimate relationship with another adult individual of the same-sex; (2) is not married to or in any other legally-recognized partnership with anyone other than that individual; and (3) is unable to enter into a marriage with that other individual that is cognizable under the Immigration and Nationality Act, to sponsor that individual for permanent residence in the United States.

Immigration Equality commends the ABA, the premiere association of attorneys in the United States, for their support for equal immigration rights for LGBT couples and families! ABA and its views are hugely influential in both the legal community and on Capitol Hill. ABA’s support, like that of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association, shows that as professionals, U.S. attorneys are tired of not being able to assist all of their clients with the family immigration benefits they deserve.

Source

Note: If you click on the source, be sure to read the comments.

Couch surfing, etc.

An old friend of mine is getting married. To the boy next door. Literally. A guy from next door, from back home in Detroit. He is head over heels, gaga, in l-o-v-e. They got together in 1987, when my friend was back home for his 30th high school reunion. Anyway, they're getting married in Windsor this June. I was beyond thrilled for him. Longer story for another time. I just have to go! And that's where this post comes in.

As many of you know, I have been trying to get to Toronto for a while now. But, life has intervened. But, I'm thinking of flying to Toronto and then driving to Windsor/Detroit. That way I could, hopefully, meet some of you and get to the wedding.

If anyone has an extra guest bed or sofa and would be willing to host me for Thursday and Friday, 11 and 12 June, I would be forever indebted. My tentative plan is to fly into Toronto early Thursday, spend Thursday and Friday in Toronto, and drive to Windsor/Detroit on Saturday morning. The gala event doesn't begin until evening. I would then stay in Windsor/Detroit, drive back to Toronto on Sunday and fly out Sunday afternoon/evening.

Now, I fully realize that this may not be possible for any one of the Toronto crew, but I thought it was worth a shot. Don't feel badly if you can't help out. Maybe we'll meet anyway! If you might be able to help, zip me an email off-blog. Thanks!

In other news - we were supposed to get 15-25 cm of snow today, but then they cancelled it and took us straight to the freezing rain. Even that hasn't materialized as badly as they indicated. But, it meant that we stayed in all day - and made sure we had water, a functional lantern, and wood for the stove. So far, so good - as you might infer by the fact that I'm posting!