17 days until Christmas! December 8, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in The Husbands, just me.add a comment
- Put up Christmas Decorations (including wreath on door, sing-songy plush animals, etc.)
- Hang stockings
- Buy live tree, decorate
- Make gingerbread houses
- Watch “Elf”
- Mull Cider
- Roast chestnuts (well, they were boiled, but same idea)
- Buy lots and lots of wrapping paper
- Ship presents to family (halfway there)
- Wrap presents for Keith & Max
- Pretend to be Santa and ask Keith to sit on my lap (can be repeated)
- Write a letter to Santa asking that 6 Democrat Senators from NY State lose their jobs
- Sing a Christmas carol
- Watch a Christmas movie
- Comment on how fast the year has gone by
- Plot out remaining vacation days for the year
- Mail Holiday cards
and a hearty FUCK YOU to you as well, Albany December 2, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in FUCK, My opinion - and my opinion counts, The Husbands.1 comment so far
38 to 24
Not a single republican voted for the bill that would allow same-sex marriage (shocking)
38 to 24, really?
Why the fuck should I pay outrageous NY state tax? Why the fuck should I support Albany, who has never ONCE supported me since I’ve lived in this state? I’m sure those of you against this bill are all patting yourselves on the back, praising your bigot god, and supporting you fear-driven hate-mongering. Drink up. Go fuck your whores behind your wives back tonight to celebrate. Huff up some blow. Spend the states money. Do all the things you hypocrital fuckers do in the name of your righteousness. I hope you choke on your own bile.
Can you tell I’m angry? I thought I’d be disappointed if this bill was shot down. But nope. I’m just pissed off. I’m having a really hard time trying to figure out why I’m still a citizen of a country that doesn’t even view me as equal. True, some would say it takes people like me to get into the trenches and fight – like the blacks did for equality – like women did for the right to vote. But you want to know the biggest difference? Back during those fights there were no other options. You fought because you believed in your country, and you believed it could be the perfect place to love, raise a family and be happy.
Let me make this very clear – that country no longer exists. And there are MANY other options. Why keep fighting, and continue having my hopes and my face smashed back to the pavement when I could whisk my Civil Union Partner away to another country and have FULL RIGHTS? Why keep fighting a losing battle against an ignorant, white, religious majority that will NEVER allow me to have equality when I could just live?
That’s the question right now for me.
And until I figure out the answer – until Keith and I figure out the answer – I hope the ignorant, hate-filled, religious fucks that have decided my future in this state simmer in their own juices. There will come a time when you no longer have the power – that hope I cannot lose. It might be a long time coming, but it’s coming. And when you find yourself face down in the gutter, and I walk by, I won’t offer you my hand as I’ve done so many times in the past. I’ll piss in your fucking face and maybe take a dump on your chest. You’re nothing to me, just as you’ve proven I’m nothing to you. Keith and I will continue to safe-guard our lives, our family, our future against you because that is all we have left right now. That and a worthless Civil Union. So fuck you. And thanks.
advent calendar? December 2, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in The Husbands, finding more joy.2 comments
I LOVE the idea of an advent calendar. Nothing to do with religion for me (obviously!!) – I just really like the idea of a little surprise or gift each day of the month leading up to Christmas. And why not? For years I would just buy those calenders with little windows in them, and chocolate treats behind each window. A couple of years ago I found one that has little drawers – perfect for tiny gifts. And Keith stepped up and informed me he would fill the calendar every year. Aww…bring on the goodies! So he spent some time last night filling all the little drawers. But he doesn’t just fill them with treats (yesterday I got Now & Laters – today I got some Jelly Belly’s!), but there’s a “Christmas Task” for each day. Yesterday I had to give Max a BIG Christmas hug!!! Today I…oh…um…well…come to think of it, some of the tasks I probably won’t be sharing on my blog. 
But as a hint, I have to do something in time to the song “Carol of the Bells” later today. That’s all I’m saying.
But here’s the calendar as Keith was putting it together:
holiday weekend part 4 – last day with mom & dad November 30, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in The Husbands, family, specifically gotham.1 comment so far
We relaxed a bit in the morning, and then shot down to check out the Highline before having to usher Keith’s parents off to the airport. 
We even managed to walk through the Chelsea Market for a sugar stop – cupcakes & cookies!
Keith’s parents are truly some of the most marvelous people I know. They are welcoming, loving, and can debate until the wee hours of the morning! This holiday weekend was one of the best we’ve ever had – take that back, it was the best Thanksgiving of my adult life. And sharing it with Mom & Dad was amazing. My life is richer because Keith has shared them with me, and they have invited me in to their family. There’s nothing more wonderous than surrounding yourself with people you love, and who you know love you back.
dinner at recipe November 12, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in Going out - food from others, The Husbands.add a comment
Last night I met Keith at Barnes & Noble by Lincoln Center after work. We picked up the last few Christmas cards we needed (yes, I even have all the envelopes addressed – I’m on the fucking BALL this year). Then we popped into Bed, Bath & Beyond – initially just for a new shower curtain. But I ended up getting a new Hankle knife set (I am totally giddy about it – I can’t wait to use them). Keith had read about a relatively new restaurant on Amsterdam, between 81st & 82nd called Recipe, so we gave it a try.
The restaurant is small, and very welcoming. The staff was attentive and perfectly friendly. And there are so many cute little quirks about the place – the tiny clothespin that holds the menu shut, the artisan sinks with the sexy soap in the bathroom, and the cute labels on the bottles for tap water:
We ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and poured over the menu. Couldn’t resist the foie gras terrine with figs – it was gorgeously delicious (and of course I forgot to take a photo). For dinner, I had the Lamb Shank Ragout – it was absolutely delicious. Perfect on a cool fall night. 
Can you tell how much I loved the sauce?
Keith had a Cornish Game Hen with homemade barbecue sauce, and a side of…guess…macaroni & cheese (with ham and peas).
And we still had time before the class we were heading to, so we took a peek at the dessert menu and I immediately jumped on the Panna Cotta with local honey. 
And since they don’t serve espresso, I had to settle for a Remy Martin and Keith had a glass of Port.
High marks for Recipe – probably the best restaurant we have found on the upper west side. The food is luxurious and yet approachable, and the presentation is just as tasty. I have a feeling Recipe is going to become a regular for The Husbands.
rainy day October 27, 2009
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I hate mornings like this. It’s always hard to get up, be active, get to work…yet SOME people don’t have to worry about that! For instance, here are some photos my husband just sent me – showing me what him and Max are doing on this rainy morning while I’m at work: curling up under covers and sleeping! They’re darn cute, but it’s just not fair!
halloween jack-o-lanterns October 26, 2009
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I love our tradition of carving pumpkins each year for Halloween. It’s silly, and it’s a heck of a lot of fun. But now that we’re on the 5th floor, we really don’t have a place to display them. So they grace our living room, and we will light them nightly where they will bring us pleasure.
Here they are:
Close-up of Keith’s:
Close-up of mine:
National Equality March on Washington, October 11 October 13, 2009
Posted by onemonkeyshow in My opinion - and my opinion counts, The Husbands, do some good, just the facts, traveltraveltravel.add a comment
We got up early on Sunday and made our way to the area where the march was starting. We stood around for 2 hours before it began and watched the streets fill up with people. It was so important to us to be there for this, despite the opposition to and the criticism of the march. The point was to bring us together, create a unified voice that could loudly proclaim we aren’t content – we won’t just roll over – we want to be equal citizens. It was such a structured “march” that I found myself longing for more anger. I get pissed off thinking about it – I pay the SAME FUCKING TAXES that everyone else does, and yet I cannot legally have the same relationship. That’s why I marched.
Most amazing of all was the turnout of young people – the Queer Youth. More power to them. I was so glad they were there. Had I been able to do at 15 what they are doing now, who knows where I’d be. It was inspiring to see. And it was awesome to see some of the older generations who were passing the mantle, so to speak, to those of us there on Sunday.
The march ended on the lawn of the Capital. We hurtled the stone wall, and found a spot under a tree to watch the rally. The Washington DC Gay Men’s Chorus started out the rally, and then a multitude of speakers took the stand. And this is where things went wrong, in my opinion. This was such an amazing opportunity for the LGBTQ community – so many of us there, in one spot, for similar reasons – the speakers should have driven us crazy with ferver. We should have been chanting, yelling, singing. Instead, we listed to one politically-driven speech after another. Every speaker had their own agenda to push. Keith and I were there for our right to have a Civil Marriage. Yet here we were listening to essays on Immigration, Labor Laws, and many other issues that were muddling the focus that we desperately needed. I felt lost, and I felt like each and every speech became less and less about the issues that are important RIGHT NOW. Sadly, the crowd completely dispersed after an hour. Such a wasted opportunity.
However there were two people that managed to inspire. Cynthia Nixon took the stage (VERY briefly) and reminded us that this is an issue that is personal to all of us. Love is love. Give me the same rights as my neighbor. And shortly after Cynthia Nixon, Lady Gaga took the stage. She spoke from the heart – about her friends, her family. She screamed “ARE YOU LISTENING?” to Obama. That’s what I wanted!! We didn’t come here to be quiet – we didn’t come here to ask, we came here to fucking DEMAND!!!!!
So while I was outstandingly proud of us for attending, I can only hope that a good message was delivered. But this was a start, and it needs to continue. Bring the fight back to your home towns, bring the fight to your neighborhoods and cities. We cannot back down. We cannot relax. I want to marry my husband – I will not be content with a CIVIL UNION any longer.
Okay, stepping down off my soap box now. Time to share the photos from the march – and take note of the fantastic signs that people were carrying!!
saturday night in DC October 13, 2009
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We had a nice dinner at Matchbox on Saturday night, and then went out for a few drinks. After all of that, however, we decided to grab the camera and hit the monuments again for an evening stroll. It was a beautiful night out, and the Mall wasn’t crowded at all. Although I had a bit of a snag when I couldn’t remember how to adjust the shutter speed on my camera for low-light (I didn’t have a tripod with me) – Keith whipped out his trusty iPhone, found the manual online, and figured it out. Thankfully. I was ready to throw the whole damn thing against a wall. Still, it all worked out in the end.
While I was working out the camera shutter speed, I did manage to get a few interesting shots:
Once all was set with the camera, I felt much better. And Keith was proud of himself for figuring it out. So we walked by the Washington Monument, and I snapped this while behind a tree.
Here’s a cool shot – that’s Keith standing in front of the Washington Monument taking a photo with his iPhone.
And here’s Keith again up against the Washington Monument. Ever notice how the guy with the camera is in the fewest number of photos?
We walked through the relatively new WWII Memorial. The fountains were certainly pretty at night. But I kept wondering – why do so many monuments and memorials involve water? Anyone know the answer to that?
And here’s Keith outside of the WWII Memorial.
Walking up to the Lincoln Memorial – striking the way the statue seems to glow.
And then I finally found a good spot to put my camera down and increase the shutter speed. I’m so glad I did because I think these two photos really are beautiful:
saturday in DC October 13, 2009
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We set off for DC early Saturday morning (after securing and feeling GREAT about our new dog-walker, Gillian!). We had the day to ourselves before the march on Sunday, so we set off for a bit of exploring. As we headed up to the Mall, we saw this van. Thank God we now know when Judgment Day is. Seriously, if we know the date, why aren’t more people talking about it????
Here’s Keith posing in front of a big phallic structure…oh wait, that’s the Washington Monument.
As we were walking towards the reflecting pool, a guy in a red dress ran by. And then many, many guys in red dresses ran by. Not quite sure why, but it was fun to watch.
We got to the reflecting pool, and I snapped this photo of the Lincoln Memorial. It was a bit dreary of a day, so I’m glad it turned out as well as it did.
Man, look at my hair!!
It was pretty amazing to stand in this spot, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, considering we were here to march for our civil rights as well.
I’ve always been fascinated by this monument. I think it’s a pretty awe-inspiring depiction of the man we have all come to herald as one of the best Presidents this country has ever seen.
Gotta love the timer on my camera. It’s responsible for so many photos of us together.
After the Lincoln Memorial we walked through the Korean War Memorial and then the Vietnam War Memorial. I was moved by a group of kids that was walking through. They were reading everything, getting very involved, asking questions – it was very touching.
And then on the OTHER side of “touching” – we happened by the Boy Scouts Memorial. I’m sorry, but what do these naked adults have to do with the Boy Scouts? And what the hell is up with that man? That shroud he is carrying just happens to cover up his junk, and the look on his face is like “what? so I like being naked around boys – you have a problem with that?” Creepy!!
Um…I don’t think I’ll caption this one. Although I did send it to Lana.
