We're Gettin' Married...Again!

On April 3, 2005, Rachel and I were married in an amazingly spiritual and intimate ceremony before the eyes of God and an indescribably meaningful community of family and friends. But we were not married in the eyes of the government, and that fact has left a little aching void in our common heart ever since. As luck, and the tremendous insight and humanity of the California Supreme Court, would have it, just a few hours ago the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on gay marriage. Within about 30 days, gay couples residing in California will be granted a basic human right, that being the right for gay couples to hold equal legal status and rights as straight couples hold. There will be a ballot referendum in November, so ultimately the voters will decide our fate, but this is something by which to be overjoyed and inspired. Rachel and I will be arriving in California the first week of August to start over, again, and build our new life and home together. As soon as we are settled in a bit, we will walk hand in hand up the stairs of the courthouse -- and we will obtain a civil marriage. By then we will have been together for 13 years, and we will be given the great honor and privilege to once again say to each other "I do." We will have an incredibly important piece of paper to display beside our ketubah, and the world will indeed be a beautiful place. Stay tuned for party details....

I Wonder Who Laura Bush's Decoy Is?

So, W has graced Jerusalem with his presence once again. It is mayhem. We unfortunately live less than a 5 minute walk from the King David Hotel where W and Laura are staying, and one block from the Inbal Hotel where a high security conference is being held. I haven't gone out today, yet, and have no idea what kind of problems I am going to have walking to city center where I work. There are barricades everywhere -- along with police, military police and military. The area is currently blocked off to civilian traffic. I was rudely awakened today to a police officer screaming something over and over into a megaphone. The only thing I understood was "Jabotinsky" which is the street we live on, so whatever it is he was saying, it affects us.

I just saw his motorcade go up Jabotinsky, having a nice view out our front windows. It was pretty standard fare for a motorcade with a few exceptions. There were 2 decoy limos, not just one as is typical in America, or at least in my experience in Washington, DC. And there were lots of men with lots of big guns. Lots. I was watching from the side of the street where I could see Laura in the limo. But which one was really Laura? All 3 limos had someone sitting in the same exact way with the exact same outfit on. And guess what Laura is wearing today? Something that looked to me like leopard print. I have to give kudos to Laura for her outfit choice today. If you've spent any time in Israel, you know that loud and gaudy clothes, such as leopard print, is quite popular among secular Israeli women (insert Russian joke). So at least the poor woman who has to be Laura's decoy felt right at home in today's outfit. I'm quite impressed with Laura's apparent cultural sensitivity.

Israeli security has apparently been practicing motorcades for a few days now. I took a video the night before last of one such motorcade. It didn't go so well. Traffic was jammed on both sides of Jabotinsky, and the vehicles in the motorcade were actually honking at other cars to let them by. How Israeli....

I'm hoping to get some photos later today and tomorrow. Maybe I can get a video of W's motorcade too. I feel quite indifferent about this whole thing. You might be asking -- okay, probably not, but I want to say it anyway, did Amy salute when W passed by? If you know me at all, you're asking yourself right now, just what "salute" would Amy have given.