A Little Sun

Phalaenopsis equestris 'Gino' JC/AOS. This is a peloric Phalaenopsis, meaning it is a genetic mutant with three labellums. In the low rays of the setting sun, the dramatic petals make for long shadows that contrast with the rich lavender tones that fly out at you as the dainty flowers drift lightly in the breeze.

Joy in the Little Things

The ducks are back! Meanwhile, Dad's got a firm hand on Junior's leg while Junior feeds the ducks and coots. Otherwise, Junior would probably dive right in! I remember when I was a kid and my parents would take me to the zoo to feed the pigeons. Yeah, they were just pigeons but it was a big thing back then and going to the zoo was free. Good, cheap, fun. We used to bring palm leaves for the petting goats from the Areca palm in the front yard too. Sometimes it's the little things that make life fun.

The Sun Shines at the Darkest Hour

Storm clouds over Mission Gorge. The sun has a funny way of breaking through the darkest clouds! Of course, for those days when it does not seem like the sun will ever shine, there are also photo editors!

Simply Splendid

Schomburkia spledida. These orchids come from Colombia and Ecuador in dry montane forests at around 2000-3000 feet. The flowers bloom out in huge balls of color with bright pink bracts and glossy, walnut colored sepals and petals and that bright lavender lip. The only downside is that they grow quite large and the flower spike is even larger, stretching up some 3-4 ft. They are pretty enough to be worth the wait!

Meanwhile, I'm getting back into the swing of the things. You know the drill, work, study, sleep, eat. Everyone at work is being quite supportive. After work, I went down to the no on 8 headquarters and it was kind of sad, seeing it empty and dark after all the hustle and bustle. I could become a campaign junkie, addicted to all the excitement and cool people that get together! A doggone shame that it takes such an evil proposition to get all those nice people to get together.

From Ashes and Twigs Come Hope

I'm a little tuckered out right now after the roller coaster of emotions associated with proposition 8. I really shouldn't be rolled around by these things anymore as the religious right has been throwing these propsitions at us for years without end. I ought to be numb by now but somehow it always hurts a bit knowing that there are strangers who would be so quick to judge us without having even met us. Of course, they don't deserve the satisfaction of causing us grief. They've caused enough mischief for one election year without us giving them any more benefit to their misdeeds.

The flower in this picture is from Mission Gorge Park. It signifies rebirth of hope out of the dry, seemingly lifeless twigs that the delicate flowers faithfully burst forth from each year. Life, you see, goes on and we are but a blink of an eye in the cosmos. Sometimes, it's best not to take ourselves and our politics too seriously. At least, not until the next battle, for it will surely come.

Not Over Until It's Over

The lead that Proposition 8 gained in the generally poorer, less educated, farming focused inland counties eroded last night. We're now at 52% for proposition 8 and 48% against proposition 8. They're still counting ballots from the richer, more educated coastal areas and mail in ballots. It seems unlikely to be enough to overcome two more percentage points but hope runs Eternal.

Still, if there is hope, it is in the overwhelming support of the legal profession, the teaching profession, actors and actresses, sports stars and other highly visible segments of the population. There is hope in the huge amounts of money we were able to raise in defense of our rights. There is hope in a new openness and activism of not just gays and lesbians but of substantial allies. There is hope in the resounding victories of Democrats in political office everywhere. The battle has just begun and the tide will reveal the truth, that discrimination is not right no matter what religious garb you dress it in.

If there is one big disappointment for me, it is the willingness of the Mormon and Catholic Church to throw millions of dollars at a battle to perpetuate discrimination at a time when our economy is in the trenches, at a time when there are far too many worthy people and families going hungry and unemployed, especially in those same poor uneducated areas that most supported Proposition 8. These people do not need messages of hate, they need food, jobs and education. I ask the Church where the mission of charity has gone and when it was replaced by one of hate and vindictiveness, by one of separation and the politics of self-justification. The Church has wandered from her mission of hope, service and salvation. Let us hope that she finds her way back before it is too late, lest final judgment find her sorely lacking.

The Polls Have Closed

The polls have closed. The results are rolling in. Senator John McCain has conceded and we have a new president elect, Barak Obama. The vote is going strongly Democrat and the Democrats are likely to hold a healthy majority in both houses of Congress. This is a huge repudiation of the policies of the current administration and a strong comment by the people of this nation on the adverse state of the economy and of our international policy. It provides hope that sometimes the people can see beyond the divisive strategies used by the Repulicans and can rise up for something different.

On the other hand, the very misleading advertising on the pro-proposition 8 campaign has, with a minority of districts reporting, been effective with proposition 8 in the lead, 54% to 46%. The news does not say which districts reported so far. Overall, the stance on proposition 8 has been heavily biased by district with rural districts being generally pro-prop. 8 and urban and city districts being generally against prop. 8. Overall, this one will probably not be decided until late into the night.

Of course, prosition or not, the bigotry will not stop overnight. The vitriol behind this proposition proves that discrimination is alive and well in Amercia, even in California. Still, there is hope to be found in the amazing degree of support for the gay and lesbian community shown by our political and corporate leaders in one of the most expensive proposition-related political campaigns in U.S. history. There is hope in the support shown by our youth voters and by our educated and professional classes. There is hope in the strong Democrat majority in the State and in Congress. There is hope in the growing awareness of gay and lesbian issues. This proposition will be a nail biter into the night but perhaps the real battle is being fought every day as we make people aware of the bigotry and injustice faced by gays and lesbians. Progress is slow and always hard won but I can atest that, even in my lifetime, attitudes have changed dramatically and proposition or not, that march towards equality will continue.

Back to the Fuschia

California fuschia, Epilobium canum. This was blooming in the parking lot at Mission Gorge Park. It was really nice to see any wildflowers blooming during this hot, dry time of year. That being said, it rained today for the first time in months (of any significance anyhow). Traffic was slow and packed on the highway. I'm not sure how it affected the voting crowd. The polls will tell later tonight.

Vote No on 8

Voting day is upon us. I would be remiss if I didn't remind our California readers to please vote NO on Proposition 8. Someone asked me, why does the "word" marriage matter if gays and lesbians already have domestic partnerships? There are two answers to that:
1. If the word "marriage" doesn't matter since gays and lesbians already have domestic partnerships, why are the conservatives so up in arms about it? Why not let gays and lesbians marry just like everyone else?
2. Words do matter. Clearly there wouldn't be such a big fight if they didn't. Gay and lesbian teens have a much higher suicide rate. Think of how hard it is to grow up in the closet knowing the people around you, often the ones you love hate gays and lesbians just like you? No wonder gay and lesbian kids run into issues with depression and suicide. What about the married people and their spouses that suffer for years in marriages where one spouse was gay but married to avoid the stigma. The whole family suffers. What do you think it is like to think that your parents, spouse, kids and friends hate you or, at least, this one very important part of you, IF ONLY THEY KNEW? Having separate but different labels, domestic partnership versus marriage, only perpetuates the belief that it is just fine to discriminate against gays and lesbians.

Please, if you live in California, vote NO on proposition 8 and help make this world a little kinder, gentler and saner.

Stenoglottis Blooming Faithfully

Stenoglottis (longifolia x fimbriata). Stenoglottis are terrestrial orchids from South Africa where they grow in humus or on mossy rocks at around 1300 meters. This one is a hybrid but looks very much like its parent, Stenoglottis longifolia. They are deciduous and loose their leaves each year causing a bit of worry only to pop back up shortly thereafter for the following year. The rest period in California is somewhat shorter, likely because I have them mixed in with the tropical epiphytes and the water doesn't cut off like it would in their native South African habitat. My plant has bloomed faithfully for years now, a present from a friend in the AOS judging system.

There are clouds and cold breezes today. It looks like rain. Perhaps it is a nice break after all the heat although the sun was indeed nice. Where was the rain yesterday when the out of state (and in-state) proposition 8 supporters were congregating in the stadium? I don't understand why people that oftentimes have never met an out gay or lesbian can be so vitriolic in their discrimination and hatred. Or, perhaps that is the precise problem. The gays and lesbians in their own families and among their own friends are suffering silently in hiding, allowing the bigots to go on believing that they don't know any of "those" gays and lesbians. Or, maybe, they, themselves, are deep in denial. Could it be?

Pumpkin Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse!

The neighbors had a Halloween party tonight. I put on my little plastic suit of armor and a long plastic sword. What would we do without plastic anyhow? Of course, the suit of armor gives an instant muscular physique that's tough to beat! Everyone had a nice time and I'm feeling a little plumper now after nibbling on the wings, pumpkin cheesecake and chocolate mousse. I am ready to do battle with Win Vista 64 again (slow as molasses after the last update). Hope you all had a nice Halloween.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We stayed home to man the door but it was a surprisingly light crowd this year. Maybe it was the election year politics. Maybe it was people just feeling down about the economy and not wanting to buy costumes. Too bad...but, just in case, I bought Hershey's Dark Chocolate with Almonds so I wouldn't mind munching the leftovers. M&Ms as well. Yumm. Happy Halloween all and to all a good night. Oh wait, was that Santa Claus? Grin. He's getting chocolate too!

Surf Buggy

The little guy is riding in style and Daddy gets to go walking on the beach on a beautiful day rather than stay home and watch the crib. Overall, everybody wins. Looks like fun. I think my Mom would have had a fit and my Dad would have thought it was really cool. Maybe it's a Dad thing.

Simple Roots

Grandma had 11 children. They all sewed for a living. It made ends meet and kept everyone fed. Grandpa bought a chicken once a week. When I was younger my Mom sewed our clothes. She sewed until she was too old to see the thread. I used to help her thread the needle as she got older. Perhaps it was just habit or a need to feel useful. Perhaps it was just getting by.

My other Grandpa was a banker but died young. After he passed away, his wife (Grandma #2) ran a small taro farm. I still have the triton shell she blew to call the workers in from the field. They both died much too soon and were gone long before I was born. I wish I could have known them.

They all worked hard so their children could get through high school. My generation went to college. Some of us attended prestigous private colleges and now have great jobs. I suppose that is the American dream. Parents that worked hard so their children could get ahead.

When I look at the economy today, I worry about how the older generation will make it on fixed incomes with rising medical costs and spiraling inflation. I worry about how our generation will make it and if we'll ever be able to retire or if we'll work until the day we die. I dread the thought of ever being the senior sweeping the floors in McDonald's or the greeter in Walmart. I know I will never be there (not if I can help it anyhow) but, when I look at those workers, I wonder how America, with all her wealth, cannot find enough to thank her seniors with more than a job as a greeter at Walmart.

They say, when they made social security, they never expected people to live past 65. It was a way to sell yet another tax to pay for more government excess. They talk about raising the retirement age to 75. Few companies have pensions now. If your IRA is anything like mine, it just flushed down the toilet with the stock market. Meanwhile, the gap between the rich and the poor in America is growing. They say the gap is wider than ever.

Yet, when I drive through town, I still see an abundance of $1M plus houses with Mercedes parked out front. Oh, not in my neighborhood... Who owns those houses? What do they do for a living? Where do the rest of the people live? How did we get here? Is the American dream still alive and well or is it drifting or even plummeting out of reach? What do you think?

Birthday Flowers

Hawaiian flowers for my birthday. My sister sent them. They remind me of home where Mom grows them in the yard. I think that was really, really sweet of her. Everyone should have a sister that nice! I'm going to try to grow the red ti leaf plant in the greenhouse when they're done.

Surf Contest Judges

If you have to judge anything, judging a surf contest is the way to go. Wow, beautiful weather, nice water, sunshine! What more could you ask for? Well, the judges did have to move the chairs when the tide came up but that's a small price to pay for weather that nice.

Harbor Lights

There's a big beacon light across the San Diego Bay as you look out from Harbor Island. Like a lighthouse, the beacon sweeps round and round in inexorable rhythm, never slowing, never ceasing, not a sound to be heard; there is just the sweep of the cool bluish-white beam as it reflects silently across the water. In the light fog it looks lonely and sad, almost beckoning.

Open Sand

Mission Beach. Not as crowded as it normally would be on a nice hot Saturday. Could it be that the recession has got everyone hunkered down at home? There are quite a few beachfront condos for sale as well. Developers bought up the older homes, knocked them down and put up these fancy, multi-unit condos just in time for the recession. Ow. The beachfront ones are still going for about $1.4M. I've no idea how much money they threw into them. They're pretty though. If only I had money...grin.

What San Diegans Do When It Gets Hot

Surf Contest, Mission Beach. It was just too nice to stay inside and study... So I started off hacking the coral tree down to the main trunk for fire season since it was rubbing on the neighbors house. Not too bad other than the thorns. Not thinking that chopping trees was enough exercise, it was off to the beach to skate the boardwalk. On the tail end of the beach, there was a surf contest in full swing. As you can see, the waves weren't great but they made the best of it. I, of course, had the wrong lens but here you go...

Think Cool

A little picture of me at the base of Meare's Glacier in the Prince Williams Sound. The weather here is still in the 90s. Hot and dry until the beginning of next week when the cool ocean air (hopefully) starts to roll back in. Until then it's fire alerts and shorts. I thought the picture might make me feel a little cooler but the placebo effect is not working.