Mazel Tov Kathy & Theda

Weddings usually mark beginnings. The start of a family. The plans for a home together. The embarkation on life’s journey as a couple. But not today.

The wedding I attended today was a celebration of two women who had already made a home. Raised two kids and sent them to college. Traveled the world together.

My aunts have been a couple for as long as I can remember. They have had all the successes I wish upon my newly married friends. After 27 years together, my aunts are my strongest example of what true partnership is.

Today, my aunts legally brought together two families that were already joined. Two families that have shared turkeys at Thanksgiving and said prayers together at Passover.

Today, I watched my grandmother get teary-eyed as she held the chuppah for her daughter and daughter-in-law.

Today, I heard pride and joy in my cousins' voices as they gave their blessings to their moms.

Today, I clapped and sang with the rest of my combined family.

It is so strange to me that anyone could look at the union that I witnessed today and think that it’s wrong. When, in reality, nothing could ever be more right.

I am grateful and proud to live in a state that recognizes the importance of marriage equality. I pray that it stays that way.
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One-handed wonder

You know what’s funny about having a dog? The things you say out loud in public that you would never say if there wasn’t a leash hanging from your wrist. Such as: “Let’s poop here, under this tree. This seems like a great tree to poop on, don’t you think, Maggie? I do. How’s about you poop here, okay?”

You know what’s not funny? Losing the use of your left hand. That is not funny at all. Waiting patiently for wounds to heal. It’s only been a day, but I’m tired of keeping my left hand elevated. I had to have my roommate, Molly, fasten my bra this morning.

Doggie Drama

Maggie is the perfect dog in many, many ways. But there is one way that she is not – she can be a bit aggressive when it comes to other dogs, especially dogs that are bigger than she is. I know, not too bright. So this morning, when we walked into the office to find a pitbull, things did not go smoothly. They are both sweet dogs on their own, but together, not so good.

I recall being told to never get between two fighting dogs, but what was I supposed to do, let them kill each other? I dove in. It was a dramatic scene - snarling, and biting, and blood. My blood. Everywhere. We got the dogs off each other, but my hand got caught in the pitbull’s teeth, which resulted in a couple nasty gashes. The dogs, of course, were both totally fine.

After much drama and a quick trip to the emergency room, I think I’ll live. I’m fine actually. It’s just annoying because, (a) I have to keep my left hand inactive and above my heart. (b) I have to take antibiotics for the next week (apparently dog bites are prone to infection) and (c) no climbing! For probably at least a couple weeks until my hand heals. Such a bummer.

But, what can I say, I still love dogs and I still love Maggie. But she is never being let off the leash, even inside, ever again.

Still working on the ollie

I just spent the last hour teaching Maggie how to skateboard around the office.

I don’t know that she exactly enjoyed it. But she didn’t dislike it. I swear, there will be tears when I have to give up this dog. Probably more from my eyes than Maggie’s.

But alas, her parents return on Thursday to take her back. I’m debating telling them that she ran away, and just keeping her for myself. Unfortunately, I don’t have the heart because they love her as much as I do.

I’ve also been enjoying staying in their house, eating their food, sleeping in their bed, and, yes, wearing their clothes. Azalea’s clothes more than Paul’s. Perhaps I’m not the most ideal dogsitter.

Although, I have to say that I've pretty much been the coolest aunt ever - taking her to the beach, to the dog park, to visit all my friends and relatives with dogs. Maggie loves me and everything I stand for. Except that whole skateboarding bit. But she's so good at it.

Ahoy

Avast ye scurvy seadogs. 'Tis my obligatory TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY blog post. Arrrrrrrr and yo ho ho.

Dogsitter

Last week, I agreed to watch Paul & Azalea’s dog while they’re on their honeymoon in Croatia. So, starting on Saturday, I am temporary mommy to Maggie, the loveable mutt.

We’ve been growing very close – sleeping in bed together, working at the office side by side. Though I’ve been doing most of the work, and Maggie’s been mostly lounging. To say she’s comfortable an office environment would be an understatement. She takes business casual to a whole new level.


If only I could train her to write copy. We're working on it.

I’m a bad cleaner.

Have I told you yet about the stain? There’s a giant white stain in the backyard where I tried to clean my Burning Man tent. I say tried, because it’s still not particularly clean. But the hosing down and the drying off did manage to leave a mark on my landlady’s newly refinished back patio.

I don’t know what to do about it.

I’ve tried hosing it down.
I’ve tried mopping it with wood soap.
I’ve wiped it down with vinegar.
I’ve gotten on my hands and knees and scrubbed with a scrub brush and dish soup.

It’s still there.

I’ve decided, for this reason, not to even try anymore. Roommates, I apologize, but Audrey’s cleaning days are over. I’ll do other chores, like turning the channel on the TV, or eating your food.

He got me.

This morning, I snoozed my alarm five times before finally climbing out of bed. I was half asleep as I stumbled to the bathroom in my PJs and was not expecting Brian to start the following conversation:

“Hey, do you smell that?”

“What? Coffee?”

“No… It smells like Updog in here.”

“Huh? What’s Updog?”

“Not much dog, whazzup with you?”

“Too early, Brian. Too early.”

Still thinking about the playa

I found some more pictures that were taken by friends that really communicate the excitement of Burning Man.

This was the Opulent Temple, the best nightclub there. (Check out those lasers!):


This was my favorite art car - the 100-ft duckie that shot spotlights out of its eyes and fire out of its head. It also had a DJ booth and about 50 people dancing on it. And the head, if you can tell from the photo, is a giant disco ball:



And here is a cute pic of me in a cowboy hat:


I still haven't finished unpacking.

Azalea & Paul get hitched

I spent this last weekend connecting with old friends and meeting new ones at my dear friend, Azalea’s wedding. Azalea & Paul have been dating forever, so it was no surprised that they tied the knot. However, the amount of love and joy in the mountains that weekend was enough to make even the most jaded person tear up.

It was an amazing weekend, full of pretty dresses (this is one of my favorite pics, though it doesn’t show Azalea’s face):


Adorable kids (Bronwyn’s son, Noah, has reached a new level of cuteness)


Cute dogs (I got to walk Maggie up the aisle)


Beautiful bridesmaids (if I do say so myself)


A traditional Korean ceremony


And some American traditions as well


Congratulations Azalea & Paul!

(You can see more pics here.)

Yellow Jackets

Last night I had the opportunity to relive my time at Berkeley High.

My good friend, Itamar, wrote a play about our experience in high school – the racial tension, the violence, the students living in fear. Ah, memories. Watching it brought all those feelings back.

I’m not gonna lie to you. It wasn’t pleasant.

I found the whole experience of watching the play depressing because there really are no easier answers to the problems that plague Berkeley High, and the rest of the world. We’re still divided by race, culture and class. I’ve just managed to distance myself from thinking about it all hours of the day.

So what’s the solution?

Burnt

Well, I made it back from the Burn in one piece. One tired, danced out and dusty piece. I read once that trying to describe Burning Man to someone who hasn't been is like describing color to a blind person. I'm going to stick by that. It's a little bit beyond words.



Mainly I was blown away by the size and by the effort and devotion that went in to all the art work, the cars, the costumes and by all the great people I met.



And by the dust. Lot's of dust.


Here are a whole lot more pictures.