Sunday, January 25, 2009
Travel Report--Grand Cayman
Here are some photos of the Grand Cayman Island. Perhaps not quite up to Glenn Reynold's standards, but... We had a good time, and were sorry to leave the warm Caribbean for the cold western edge of the Great Plains. The best part of the island is just off the coast about 30 feet down in the reefs, but I didn't have a camera then.
A blue Iguana. Wish I could have taken a picture of the snake we saw but my new bride was attempting to climb up on my shoulders at the time and it slipped off into the bushes. Pity, really, because it was so beautiful.
Labels: Personal History; marriage
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Weak Tit Excuse for Lite Posting
We had the big mainly family party last night. It went pretty well. There was drinking and dancing. Thanks to everyone for coming and helping us celebrate our marriage. Anyway tough to post through the last minutes of work and preparations. Off to the Caribbean for a short week of sun and stuff. Ta.
Oh wait, last minute question. Since we've made an elite from the Ivy Leaguers, I've noticed that there are tons of evangelicals speaking out in favor of Israeli self defense and conservative guys and gals do so in slightly fewer numbers. At the rally last Sunday, there were several ministers among the non Jewish speakers and former Congressman Tom Tancredo. So it too fit the pattern emerging. OK finally the question: Where are the Ivy Leaguers regarding Israeli Self Defense? Like one. Is there a single Ivy Leaguer who has come out strongly in favor of what Israel is doing in Gaza to protect itself from rocket attack, et al.? Is there one?
Oh wait, last minute question. Since we've made an elite from the Ivy Leaguers, I've noticed that there are tons of evangelicals speaking out in favor of Israeli self defense and conservative guys and gals do so in slightly fewer numbers. At the rally last Sunday, there were several ministers among the non Jewish speakers and former Congressman Tom Tancredo. So it too fit the pattern emerging. OK finally the question: Where are the Ivy Leaguers regarding Israeli Self Defense? Like one. Is there a single Ivy Leaguer who has come out strongly in favor of what Israel is doing in Gaza to protect itself from rocket attack, et al.? Is there one?
Labels: Israel self defense, Personal History; marriage
Friday, January 02, 2009
The Big Day Arrives
I got married today. It was my second wedding; the first was over a quarter century ago and ended in divorce before 12 years. I got the primary slot, in joint custody, of the children and that involved some sacrifice, but looking back it didn't seem like much sacrifice. My lovely new bride and I have dated, off and on, for over 12 years. There were a lot of breakups and breaks, some lasting a few years. However, it seemed to be written that we would be together and the last time we started seeing each other again, at a Crowded House concert, I began to think we should get married and 17 months later, we did.
It was a very small ceremony in the Presbyterian Church near my home. I was raised Presbyterian but converted to Catholicism about 14 years ago. I still have enormous faith problems, but I believe I am a Christian, even though I rarely go to Mass anymore. I couldn't get married in my church unless I annulled the first, which has been suggested to me a few times, but I think that an annulment after 11 years of marriage and three children renders the distinction between annulment and divorce meaningless. Generations from now will look back on Catholic annulment like we now look back on Catholic indulgences. I'm not doing it even if that means I'm living in sin, a mortal sin, now. The Catholics are such sticklers for details; whatever happened to the thought counting? We first thought we'd do a civil ceremony but I'm glad none of the judges I know were available. It was a very nice service--intimate, meaningful, and short.
I thought I was pretty calm until I was directed to look into Kit's eyes, holding her hands, and repeat the vows. My voice choked up quite a bit. She just plain cried when it was her turn. I believe her when she said they were tears of joy. I hope I never give her cause for any other kind.
Dr. Johnson cynically called a second marriage the triumph of hope over experience. Yeah, exactly.
And love has a lot to do with it too.
It was a very small ceremony in the Presbyterian Church near my home. I was raised Presbyterian but converted to Catholicism about 14 years ago. I still have enormous faith problems, but I believe I am a Christian, even though I rarely go to Mass anymore. I couldn't get married in my church unless I annulled the first, which has been suggested to me a few times, but I think that an annulment after 11 years of marriage and three children renders the distinction between annulment and divorce meaningless. Generations from now will look back on Catholic annulment like we now look back on Catholic indulgences. I'm not doing it even if that means I'm living in sin, a mortal sin, now. The Catholics are such sticklers for details; whatever happened to the thought counting? We first thought we'd do a civil ceremony but I'm glad none of the judges I know were available. It was a very nice service--intimate, meaningful, and short.
I thought I was pretty calm until I was directed to look into Kit's eyes, holding her hands, and repeat the vows. My voice choked up quite a bit. She just plain cried when it was her turn. I believe her when she said they were tears of joy. I hope I never give her cause for any other kind.
Dr. Johnson cynically called a second marriage the triumph of hope over experience. Yeah, exactly.
And love has a lot to do with it too.
Labels: Personal History; marriage
