Applause, but why is this taking so long?

So I don't think they planned it to happen for the start of Toronto's Pride week, but yesterday New York State became the largest state in the union to allow LGBT couples the basic right that EVERYONE else has had (although it may only be L/G, I'm not sure about the B/T until I read the bill).

Sound the applause.  But it begs the question, why is this taking so long? It was last summer that a California court struck down that state's anti-same sex marriage act in one of the best examples of bullet-proof reasoning by the presiding judge. 

The slow march towards equality for my friends and neighbours is quite frustrating to watch.  And even in this city and country where I live there are frustrations that crop up (like a mayor who doesn't think participating in one of the city's largest events justifies sacrificing some family time for what everyone else considers a mayoral duty).

Sometimes having patience and taking the long view of things is very tiring.  This morning I'm relating this news from New York, and my reaction to it, to how I'm feeling and dealing with my latest injury.  Yes, it is getting better (I think), but it's hard to tell some times, is often painful and why is it taking so long to heal? Sometimes when you are going through something painful it's hard to tell if things are getting better, or to have the patience required to be happy about whatever progress you are making.

But if you want to read about a real struggle, and the courage of everyday life, please take a look at my friend's brilliant blog about her journey through breast cancer. It will make you weep, and laugh and take great pride in what she has been able to do.

Whiskey and Cigarettes

I must admit that I no longer listen to commercial radio, and so am completely out of the loop in terms of music trends and sound. I am now completely dependent on my children to let me know what is actually 'current'.

How sad, as I used to have such a wide appreciation for musical genres -- which I still do, but absent anything new. Until I came across this lovely lady, ADELE, who has become one of my faves, and restored my faith in new music. Of course, she kind of has an old sound, but that's not the point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qemWRToNYJY



How do I describe why I like this -- whiskey and cigarettes. That's what I think of when I hear or see her sing. I've never smoked, but loved spending time in dark smoky bars listening to bands and singers work a room -- which is another thing I don't do much of these days. This woman's emotional range in her songs is visceral.

For me she embodies Etta James, Janis Joplin and all the best bluesy singers to have come before her. And it seems that live she sounds exactly like on record, which to me is a true mark of talent.

What more could you ask for then listening to melancholy music, brilliantly sung with the lights down while sipping whiskey (I'll avoid the cigarettes, but she smokes which has done wonders for giving her voice just the right amount of rasp...)

I hope she continues to make wonderful music for years to come (so maybe she should give up the cigarettes at some point.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiMK9e0h6YE&feature=related

And it begins again...

Another very special black belt ceremony has come and gone, with tears, smiles and joy shared amongst an incredibly loving community. I am very proud of the accomplishments of the group of people who have completed a very long and arduous stage of their martial arts journey. And now the next stage begins...

The next one is filled with uncertainty; it starts with the question "Now what?". The simple answer is not an answer, but a question -- what do you want it to be?

That is one of the hardest, but most beautiful parts of this experience: it is unique, demanding and dependent on the motivation of the student. I have been really happy to see the last few groups who have gone through the black belt experience stay reasonably intact, and dedicated to growing as individuals while giving back to the community around them.

I am so looking forward to seeing how these guys do, and how they answer the questions posed to them.

Congratulations to all of them, and thank you to them as well. They have helped me learn a great deal about myself, and that is a debt that is very hard to repay.