Congratulations

New York state legislature passes law to allow marriage in New York between gays and lesbians.
Good.
My state has State Registered Domestic Partnership.  Here, the SRDP is the equivalent of marriage under state law. However, there is still a restriction that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.
I think of marriage as a spiritual choice; a religious matter.  I don't think marriage should be defined by the state at all - separation of church and state.  Cultural traditions are still dominant here, though.
As long as we continue to make marriage both a religious and civil state of being, I think everyone should have the right to be a couple.
Eventually, this will be the way.

It just doesn't make sense...

From The Nation:  LeBron James and the Quote Heard Round The World

LeBron James tells his truth...

“All the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day, they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that. They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they have to get back to the real world at some point.”

Then, some media cry out; Jalen Rose on ESPN...

 “He needs to learn to speak to the media. He puts his foot in his mouth time and time again.”

What do you want?  Someone who speaks their truth?  Or, predictable, doublespeak that's been vetted by PR representatives?
I'd rather know the truth of someone through their words than bully them into blandness.

(Next, I wonder why the media works against themselves so often...and I come to the following...)

The best interest of the media used to be shining a light on Truth. 
Now it's inciting a reaction - positive or negative, they don't care. 
Money is drawn to emotional reactions, not truth.
The only thing that's of interest to a corporation is Money.
Money has become more important than Truth in today's media/marketing/Wall Street world.

(Now, I'm thinking about corporations...)

A corporation doesn't support an idea or a government or a way of life.  A corporation will do business with anyone.  People run the corporation, but they run it as if it's separate from them; as if it doesn't reflect who they are.  They hide behind a concept of what a corporation is supposed to do or be.

Mom and Pop stores (and certainly there must be SOME corporations) put something else above the job of making money because it really DOES reflect who they are.  Their values are part of their money-making strategy. 

What if people became more like corporations?
Maybe they already are - media stars, sports stars, etc.

I don't think that's a good thing.
 
Maybe money really is the root of all evil.
 
(After writing this post I'm not sure what the main point would be...I just got led around by the ideas and couldn't sit with any of them long enough to write something more developed.  But honestly, I like the ideas.)
 
(And FYI - I don't really follow basketball.  Last I heard, LeBron James was a phenom high school athlete who transferred straight to the NBA.  Everyone had great hopes and I thought people liked him a lot.  He seemed nice enough when I saw him early on.  Now Cleveland's mad at him and people are saying bad things about him.  I don't get it.  Anyway - this post isn't really about LeBron James - the article about LeBron was the catalyst to begin thinking about broader issues.)

Doctor Who

From Christopher Eccleston to Martha Jones to the friendship of the Doctor and Donna to the romance of Rose and now to this...I so enjoy Doctor Who.  It gets better and better and better.

Last night, to top off my birthday, LJB and I watched "A Good Man  Goes to War", the season six first half cliffhanger.  What a joy.  Confusing, but fun.  There are lots of strings to untie, and upon further reflection, there may be a plothole or two.  For now, I'm basking in the glow of all the good relationships and wonderful chemistry between the characters and the actors created by Stephen Moffat.

I think rewatching the Season Five and Season Six episodes will be as much fun (for different reasons) as watching them the first time!

Happy Birthday to me...

For this commemoration of another year of my life I will simply ask the question...

How can I serve the energy of love this year?

Here are some horoscopes for me...

Supermodel Adriana Lima (1981) shares your birthday today. The key to your survival and happiness is your positive state of mind and your optimism. Your belief in your future is empowering. This is not to say you're not realistic - because you are. You like to be physically active; and you are stoic in difficult situations. Work hard to build or construct something this year because your rewards will soon follow.

If today is your birthday: It might be long overdue, but because of your established abilities and talents you could find yourself in a leadership role among your peers during coming months. Others will be looking to you for fresh ideas and activities.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (June 12). You are more charming than you know. Someone will fall for you, becoming smitten with your lovely manners and the level of attention you so effortlessly give those around you. A nugget of knowledge will lead you to make extra money in July. September brings the completion of a goal. You share a special connection with Cancer and Scorpio people. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 15, 3, 34 and 22.

If it’s your birthday todays
You will face a hectic schedule on the professional front. Achieving set targets can open the doors to faster career growth. Be careful with your finances; do not believe everything you are told or that comes to your attention, go through and double check all the information before acting on it. Spending time with your partner will make you happy and you can benefit from their insights.

IF JUNE 12 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Beaming confidence and polished business sense will make you a likely candidate for enormous success in the year to come. Right now, you can plan successfully for the future and accept opportunities or offers that come your way. But your romantic fantasies or an attractive someone who has recently arrived on the scene might distract you from what is most important. Be sure to keep your promises and don't ignore any strings that are attached to a business deal between August and January. A new romance that appears on the scene in the early fall might seem like gold. Be sure to test the surface to make sure it isn't merely a veneer. In February, your business savvy and street smarts will help you appear proficient in any area and you can impress people in high places with admirable credentials.

June 12, 2011…a #4 World-Wide Day. Today “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Public Servants try to be realistic and practical. Useful products are patented. In your lifestyle: Do the things that must be done to maintain what you have. Correct mistakes. Socialize and shop within your budget. Nothing comes easy…there’s work to be done.

Generally compatible Birthday numbers for #12 are: #1, #2, #5, #6, #8, #10, #11, #14, #15, #17, #19, #20, #23, #26, #28, #29. With all other numbers: The #12 will need to concentrate on one goal, be disciplined for practicality and talk less and do more to maintain a harmonious, materially successful combination.

If #12 is your birthday, find your passion, stick with it and there’s no stopping you. You’re artistic, sociable and have a fine mind. Avoid sugar and alcoholic beverages to curb your frequent highs and lows. Finish what you begin and “don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” You are multi-talented, have a vivid, creative imagination and are wise in surprising ways. Learn to accept the world as it really is and people for what they really are. You find peace, happiness and security through acceptance.

In 2011, curb your flights of fancy and get down to brass tacks. Work, build and plan for tomorrow today. Schedule time, money and effort. Correct mistaken ideas and over-expenditures and put yourself, your body and your life in working order. No vacations now…you’ll have more freedom next year.

In 2011 wear the color green to attract sensible, enduring, stable, honest relationships.
Emerald is your gem in 2011.
People whose names begin with the letters D, M and V 2011.
Thursday is your lucky day of the week in 2011.

Your 2011 lottery numbers are: 2, 3, 7, 15, 21, 29.

Google Doodle Today

The Les Paul Guitar Doodle is back - by popular demand.
I noticed the guitar icon yesterday, but somehow managed to miss strumming the strings until this morning.
Cool.
Here's my mad jumble of noise.
(Actually - it's a sentence I typed over and over for 30 seconds.)

The Doodles create a lot of Goodwill from me to Google.
They're a way for people all around the world to connect, they celebrate a sense of pride and accomplishment, they commemorate important historic times and people.
They're clever and well designed and fun to see.

The Google Doodle Archive is here.

UPDATE 6/12/2011: Sadly the following links don't seem to be available anymore. Oh well. I tried.
Do you recognize this song? (the end sounds like Yankee Doodle, but it's not)
What about this one?

But, here's a song that really sounds good (I didn't do it)

FURTHER UPDATE 6/13/2011: Les Paul Doodle and a pro in action...

For as long as I shall live...

...I will Testify to Love

I'm listening to music while I work and this song captured my heart this morning.

*****

Update: Wynonna Judd seems to be speaking to me this morning. Here's another song that's touched my heart.

YOU WERE LOVED

We all want to make ourplace in this world

We all want our voices to be heard

Everyone wants a chance to be someone

We all have dreams we need to dream

But sweeter than any star you can reach

Is when you reach and find

you've found someone

You'll hold this world's most priceless thing

The greatest gift this life can bring

If you can look back and know

You were loved.

CHORUS:

You were loved by someone

Touched by someone

Held by someone

Meant something to someone

Loved somebody

Touched somebody's heart along the way

You can look back and say

You were loved.

You can have diamonds in your hand.

Have all the riches in the land

Without love do you really have a thing

When someone cares that you're alive

When someone finds their world in your eyes

Then you'll know you've found all you need

You'll hold this world's most priceless prize

The sweetest treasure in this life

If you can look back and know

You were loved

CHORUS

You were loved by someone

Touched by someone

Held by someone

Meant something to someone

Loved somebody

Touched somebody's heart along the way

You can look back and say

You were loved.

So many roads that you can take

Whatever way you go

Don't take that road alone

Better you should know...

You were loved by someone

Touched by someone

Held by someone

Meant something to someone

Loved somebody

Touched somebody's heart along the way

You can look back and say

You did OK

You were loved.

So remember to tell that one

You are loved.

Jesus Christ Superstar

The movie version of "Jesus Christ, Superstar" is one of my all-time favorite movies.  For me, it describes a human Jesus, political realities, the beginning of revolution, how popularity and fame change a message, and mob mentality.  I think every song I'm listening to is the best song of the record, until I hear the next one and remember how much I enjoy that song too.
Today I had an opportunity to see Village Theater's production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar".  The set and costumes were contemporary.  Because of all the revolutions taking place in the Middle East lately, that's the image I associated with the sets and costumes.  Really great.
The voices of both Judas (Michael K Lee) and Jesus (Aaron C Finley) were marvelous.  What talent.  I especially enjoyed "Heaven on Their Minds" from Lee.
There was even some 'street' choreography that was interesting and fun.
I feel really lucky to have seen it.
Fantastic job everyone!