Knee Replacement

Well after four years of limping around and enduring pain in my right knee due to advanced osteoarthritis I am admitting myself into the hospital tomorrow for knee replacement surgery. Am I anxious, nervous, apprehensive, and having second thoughts - oh yes. But I have been reassured by the doctor, nurses, friends, and others that have had the procedure done, I will be thankful that I went ahead and did it. I truly hope so. I love to walk, hike, and square dance and so if I will able to do those activities again without pain and stiffness, it will be worth it. I am not looking forward to the post surgery pain, physical therapy sessions, being immobile for a few weeks, and missing the pool opening this weekend but as they say into each life a little rain must fall. Who is the "they" that make all this pithy remarks anyways? I appreciate all of you who have offered me words of comfort and volunteered assistance. Now let me play the little engine. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!

"California Here We Come"

It's an unforgettable day for same-sex couples and advocates of fairness and opportunity across the nation! The California Supreme Court has ruled that the state may no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage.

"Our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation, and more generally, that an individual’s sexual orientation — like a person’s race or gender does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights." Chief Justice Ron George wrote for the court's majority.

While this is a victory step, now attention must be given to make sure that discrimination is not written into the state constitution in California through a ballot initiative.

On a hopeful note, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement immediately after the opinion was issued saying he would uphold the ruling. "Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling," he added.

Friends of Dorothy

As an OZphile am providing this report courtesy of Entertainment Weekly (May 16, 2008).

Two movie studios are now working on new versions of the Wizard of OZ. Producers Wyck Godfrey and Marc Platt just received a script from Darren Lemke (of Shrek Goes Fourth fame) that closely follows Frank L. Baum's 1900 novel which represents OZ as a real place - not a dreamland. They're now waiting to hear if Universal wants to proceed with the story. Producer Todd McFarlane (of Spawn fame), meanwhile has had his own project, simply titled OZ, set up at Warner Bros. since 2007.

Shameful Action by Pennsylvania Senators

On May 5, 2006, a Pennsylvania Senate committee voted 18-8 to send Senate Bill 1250, which would place a measure on the ballot banning same-sex marriage, to the full Senate for a vote. Measure must now be approved in two consecutive legislative sessions for it to be placed on the ballot.

{From my perspective, not only is this flagrant discrimination, but is akin to putting our civil rights into a flag draped coffin and burying them.}

Good News Update !!

Although it took Senator Vince Fumo talking about slavery, calling his colleagues gay and saying he wanted to outlaw divorce, he succeeded in getting the anti-gay marriage amendment tabled. His last few months in office are going to be interesting. Who is going to be our ally when he is gone? Will we even have one?

Completed First Semester - Union Seminary

Awhile back, I noted that I had returned to the academic world and had enrolled for classes at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Good news and "???" news. I successfully completed my first semester and received very positive evaluations from my professors. I very proud of my achievements (if I do say so myself) as it was not an easy venture for me going back to school after so many years and having to commute to New York from Philadelphia via bus. The ??? hitch that I am referring to is that because of an enrollment timing issue, I had to take the classes as a non-degree student. I have since applied for status as an Master of Divinity student but my admission has been put into a "hold/pending" status. Seems like the evaluation committee was concerned as to whether I was ready or not (whatever that means). Been told what that means is that they will make a final decision after reviewing my class evaluations. I am hopeful based on the feedback that I got from my professors and my own sense of accomplishment. I really want this so please extend support, positive energy, and prayers. Meanwhile, I continue to do a lot of volunteer work for my home church, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. Stop by and say Hi, sometime. And an advertising note, we are having a Bali Ha'i South Pacific Auction and Entertainment event tomorrow May 3, 2008 at 5:30pm. Please stop by; who knows, you may catch me in a grass skirt (not).