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Updates and Commentary

1. It's been almost a week since the same sex marriage law was shot down. I'm not totally pissed about it as I was as, you know, time heals all wounds or what not but I still am a bit irritated. There was a discussion about it at the seminary today on how for many opponents it was the word "marriage" that did it for them. The only openly gay student present responded she wanted the word. I can't say I blame her. I noticed this argument a long time ago, however. I was in Boston when thie issue was discussed there and in Connecticut when it was discussed there (Actually, it was just civil unions there at the time and then later became marriage...) and this was the first time I noticed the civil union option wasn't poo-pooed as well.

I love how Bishop Malone still claims his opposition wasn't about discrimination. Isn't denying a group the right to do something that everyone else is allowed to do the very definition of discrimination?

2. Wow. Carrie Underwood's version of the Pretender's classic "I'll Stand By You" rocks!

3. Speaking of music, my after-birthday gift was Sarah McLachlan's Rarities, B-Sides, and Other Stuff 2. I mention this simply because it includes stuff from as far back as her cover of "Blackbird" for the I Am Sam soundtrack; one of the better tracks there actually. Besides the obvious "I Will Remember You" what could possibly be on the first volume? Also, while Emmy Lou Harris' voice adds something to "Angel," the best track is "Pills" which she performs with the Perishers. Her version of "Unchained Melody" is either the best or worst version I have ever heard...

4. My second novella, Spring Thaw will be released on January 5th. The first draft of the cover was awesome as they went more with the design for Winter Storm than even I hoped. There was one problem as they included th outline of Armenia again. This was corrected. It still looks awesome but I realize now I may have to pay attention to country-shape for the next one. How weird is that?
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