Californians voted to amend the state constitution to take away civil rights.

We were married on 10/31/08. Proponents of Prop 8 are seeking annulments for all 17,000+ same-sex marriages that have happened since the state supreme court declared denying these basic civil rights unconstitutional.

There are 3-4 million provisional ballots that still need to be counted. Last I heard, the gap between Yes and No is only 500,000. We’ll know more on 11/13.

As of today, cities in California will stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

So, I’m back from Italy. I know, I know. I owe you a post and a whole bunch of photos. Needless to say, it was delicious, literally and metaphorically. Calvi (where the wedding was) and Rome are very different from one another. One expansive and rural, the other a cramped maze of ancient and contemporary. But more on that later.

Right now I’m sitting in be airport in Philadelphia, waiting for a flight to Albany. I’m getting picked up by Sean (sorry; no link ’cause this is being written on my phone) and we’re headed to baby-got-Rhinebeck to see friends and hang with the knitterati.

(May I rant about USAir? My 6:10am flight cross-country was charging for all drinks. Am I spoiled by United? Some nuts or a free cup of water perhaps? There was no time to grab a coffee before my flight so as soon as I got off the plane here, I devoured a pretzel, downed a bottle of water and inhaled a sugar raised Dunkin Donut – my first job in high school. Now I’m settling down with a latte, contemplating whether or not I need somehong with spinach from Sbarro. I’m not gong hungry on this next flight!)

If you’re at Rhinebeck, catch me tomorrow out and about with Miss Scout, Sean or Dr. Mel. I’ll be the guy with a shaved head who doesn’t spin.

My sabbatical started today. After seven years, you’re entitled to six paid weeks off to which you’re allowed to add two more weeks of vacation. I’ve been there since 2000, so I’m over a year late.

It was a whirlwind of rushing around to get everything done before I leave for Italy. Cleaned out my office desk, printed out plane tickets and Rome itineraries, and grabbed anything I thought I’d couldn’t live without for the next seven weeks (will I really use that yoga mat?). I’m not allowed to step foot into the office until November 17th.

I had a great day of bonding with Janie, loading up the iPod, and making a list of stuff to bring. Now, everything is packed, except my toiletries (toothbrush, paste, floss, razor, shaving cream and moisterizer). Not sure how much online time I’ll get between now and 10/9, but I’ll do my darnedest! Expect more when I return…

The alarm is going off in seven hours, so I should get to bed. Ciao for now.

Did y’all wish PuNk rAwK pUrL a happy birthday yet?

Well, what are you waiting for… go on, even if it’s “late.” She’s a swell gal that I’m proud to call a friend.

Sure, she hasn’t written in her blog since my birthday in April… so go look at her pretty pictures?

We’re headed to Alameda tonight for German food and celebration because what’s better than cabbage to celebrate another milestone? Chance of ice cream afterwards at Tucker’s: extremely high.

The best plastic surgery is the kind you barely notice, right?

I’ve spent the past 6 hours upgrading WordPress and fiddling to recreate this here blog’s design. After a spate of 700 emails from spam commenters overnight, it was time do something. Please let me know if you run into any problems here… other than the lack of stuff to read. They don’t make author upgrades.

It’s pretty shiny back here, behind the curtain. Can’t wait to find what else this little piece of software can do!

Just noticed that my messenger bag pattern from Knitty Gritty was link-checked on Lime N Violet’s Daily Chum which was then picked up by CRAFT magazine’s blog. Thanks, Yarngeek and Jenny Ryan!

Has it been a month since my last post? The Olympics came and went and my socks didn’t get done as planned. Mom successfully completed a pair of Monkey’s in Scout’s Swag hizKNITS yarn. Although I didn’t medal, there is some sock-tacular learning that shall be discussed at a later date. Needless to say, my US#1’s have been busy.

Speaking of knit-alongs, I should also mention the latest episode of YKNIT with Larissa Brown went up. Mike did a bang-up job with that interview.

Just a few more weeks, and I’ll have more free time to typey-type here. None of this “job” stuff cramping my style. See you next month?

(Let’s hope it’s sooner.)

I think I’m going to compete in Olympic Sox 2008: knit socks during the Games. I’m well trained, thanks to Francie. The second sock is in the final stretch after a week and two days (and many days off). The question now remains, which event/pattern and yarn will I choose?

DrLaura is putting this on, so I should use the Crystal Palace Panda Cotton I have (but wanted to save for a baby surprise jacket). I’ve been wanting to figure out Mr. Monkey socks, transforming the lace bits and filling in the holes with increases, and the prescribed yarn was going to be BMFA’s Kawkaw colorway from this year’s sock camp. A third choice would be something in a Scout’s Swag color (who we just interviewed on YKNIT 012: Y Would Dye 4 U).

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Time to check my queued patterns on Ravelry and look at some books. Opening Ceremonies is less than 24 hours away, so I need to get my gear in gear. Good luck to everyone during the Games!

My interest in knitting has been rekindled by the fabulous Socrates yarn (sent by Sean) and the Francie pattern.

The yarn is a fiber version of crack… or a marital aid that doesn’t require batteries or soaking in bleach. It’s compelled me to knit whenever I have a spare moment. The combination of wool, alpaca and bamboo makes for an incredibly soft and lightweight fabric. The pattern’s simple broken ribbing and unique sole shaping is the perfect combination of playful and predictable.

Thank you, Sean, for the gift that’s so much more than a skein of yarn. I started this the day it arrived (7/21) and finished the first sock last night. Proof that one could produce a sock in less than a week and still hold a full-time job. We’ll see how long #2 takes…

The next YKNIT episode is up!

Take an audio peek into the fun of the Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat at Easton Mountain from back in May.

Now, it’s off to bed… this podcast thing was the first thing I did when I got up and the last thing I’m doing before I go to sleep. G’night!