Metal Meredith

Back when I was much, much younger, I was invited (and accepted the invitation) to a local Star Wars convention. It was just what you would expect, nerds, goobers and dorks all lined up to view and purchase the most rare and coveted collectibles. They held panels with discussions on show topics and time lines and the virtues of the movies versus each series. I found it all amusing but pretty boring. I also didn’t feel all that well.

The highlight was an appearance by George Takei, who played Sulu on the original series (and some big screen versions as well). We all listened to him talk and I thought he was personable and enjoyed hearing his take on many questions that were thrown at him. At the very end, they raffled off some prizes so we decided to start heading out. The big deal prize was an autographed posted of George that the winner was presented to personally. Before I knew it, I was walking up on stage in front of this whole convention, getting a kiss on the cheek from Mr. Takei and being handed a poster.

I remember this specifically because I came down with chicken pox the next day. Poor George, I wondered for days if I should somehow get in touch with his management and warn them. But that experience is a nice, albeit dorky memory that I enjoy retelling to unsuspecting fans of the series. My enjoyment of George Takei started right there but didn’t end.

Last week, I was staring at a photo of George Takei again, right after learning the verdict allowing gay couples to legally marry in California. I came across his site. I know George Takei is gay, but I had no idea he was this open. He posted an open letter on his site that I am going to repost here for all of you who can’t seem to click on a link:

May 16, 2008
Marriage Equality Comes to California
By George Takei

Our California dream is reality. Brad Altman and I can now marry. We are overjoyed! At long last, the barrier to full marriage rights for same-sex couples has been torn down. We are equal with all citizens of our state!

The California Supreme Court has ruled that all Californians have a fundamental right to marry the person he or she loves. Brad and I have shared our lives together for over 21 years. We’ve worked in partnership; he manages the business side of my career and I do the performing. We’ve traveled the world together from Europe to Asia to Australia. We’ve shared the good times as well as struggled through the bad. He helped me care for my ailing mother who lived with us for the last years of her life. He is my love and I can’t imagine life without him. Now, we can have the dignity, as well as all the responsibilities, of marriage. We embrace it all heartily.

The California Supreme Court further ruled that our Constitution provides for equal protection for all and that it cannot have marriage for one group and another form - domestic partnership - for another group. No more “separate but equal.” No more second-class citizenship. Brad and I are going to be married as full citizens of our state.

As a Japanese American, I am keenly mindful of the subtle and not so subtle discrimination that the law can impose. During World War II, I grew up imprisoned behind the barbed wire fences of U.S. internment camps. Pearl Harbor had been bombed and Japanese Americans were rounded up and incarcerated simply because we happened to look like the people who bombed Pearl Harbor. Fear and war hysteria swept the nation. A Presidential Executive Order directed the internment of Japanese Americans as a matter of national security. Now, with the passage of time, we look back and see it as a shameful chapter of American history. President Gerald Ford rescinded the Executive Order that imprisoned us. President Ronald Reagan formally apologized for the unjust imprisonment. President George H.W. Bush signed the redress payment checks to the survivors. It was a tragic and dark taint on American history.

With time, I know the opposition to same sex marriage, too, will be seen as an antique and discreditable part of our history. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy remarked on same sex marriage, “Times can blind us to certain truths and later generations can see that laws once thought necessary and proper, in fact, serve only to oppress.”

For now, Brad and I are enjoying the delicious dilemma of deciding where, when, and how we will be married. Marriage equality took a long time, but, like fine wine, its bouquet is simply exquisite.

I have a very strong opinion about gay rights and their ability to marry and the benefits that come along with it. It is no secret and I will continue to vote according to who will be support all the citizens of the country and not just the ones that religion dictates should be recognized. Today’s post was my part in Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2008.

I hope by reproducing George’s heartfelt words that someone who might not ‘get it’ finally sees that these people are just that, people. And that they fall in love just like anyone else and should be allowed to share in the recognition that heterosexual couples are allowed. 

*Kym and Teresa*

She really is one cool chick. With the exception that she can’t seem to upload a photo onto her computer to send out or the fact that she can’t seem to write an email to her friend of 20-some-odd-years and let her know how her new son is. But it’s all good. You know why?

She does awesome stuff like sign up for the bone marrow registry and walk for multiple sclerosis.

I just got an email from her that states the following:

I’ll be taking part in 2008 Walk MS on Saturday April 26th. One of my best friends was diagnosed with MS just over a year ago so this is a cause close to my heart.  Please consider donating to this charity by clicking on the below link or bringing me a check made out to National MS Society. It is a tax deductible donation.

If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from the MS Walk are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit www.nationalmssociety.org.

Please consider popping on over and making even a small donation. I gave $50 but that is mostly because she is my bestest friend and Teresa is bitchen and has a great butt. See? How can you NOT?

PS. I also need to add two more events that I am donating to. Dana is participating in the Relay for Life. She is a cancer survivor (GO HER!) and an inspiration to me.

Carrie is going the March of Dimes walk in memory of her daughter, Samantha, that died at 10 weeks old.

Please consider donating to these as well!

Hi Me,

Please don’t be mad. I know you had big plans, didn’t you? Well, I tried, I really did. There are a few things I need to explain and I thought it best to write it all out. The 35 year old me thinks it is all cool, but I know you have got to be pissed so I want you to hear it from me.

On Friday night, I went to play Bunco with 11 other women from Vivienne’s preschool. I am sure you have no idea what I am talking about so here it goes. Remember when Mom would play Bridge with her friends? And they would all come over and sit with glasses of wine around those wood and beige vinyl folding tables with little wooden bowls of snacks on each one? Remember that it was mostly gossip and laughing and you never understood why it was fun? Well, it was so like that that I was a little nervous myself.

As I looked around I noticed that the women did have glasses of wine or a beer. There were bowls of snacks at each table. We all had green plastic beads on and a score card with own name and a little leprechaun sticker. As you could tell, I was a little scared. And don’t tell me you don’t know all of this because I could hear you giggling and guffawing at intervals throughout the night. The very scary part was that I did have a good time and I might even go back the next time I am invited. So there. Neener neener.

Let me tell you the best part before you keep judging. Even if I gave you the choice, you wouldn’t change a thing. Trust me. It is all good. Plus, look how long it takes us to figure out that playing games with church women isn’t all that bad! Now, it’s 12:15pm on a Sunday, please get out of bed. Are you going to sleep this whole day away??

Love,
Me

Me with some band:

Me with my first boyfriend and Mark Slaughter:

...to my blog!

Phil started this when Vivienne was born, to get some photos up for family living out of state. Then it started to be a nice online diary of the kids, motherhood and family. There is some crap about me on here, too.

Phil redesigned the site and re-launched it on February 5th, 2004. I can’t believe I have been berating myself for not posting more frequently for 4 long years. Wow.