Good News Friday: ♫ ♪ Ding Dong Prop H8 Is [officially] Dead ♪ ♫

After the Supreme Court sounded the death knell for California’s Prop H8 last June, the wingnuts out there in The Golden State foot-stomped, head-snapped, and law-suited all over the place trying to keep the thing alive, but earlier this week, the California Supreme Court refused to revive Proposition 8, effectively unplugging it from lifer support and ending the last remaining legal challenge to same-sex marriage in California.

After meetings in closed session, the court rejected arguments by the ludicrously named ProtectMarriage, the original sponsors of H8, that only an appellate court could overturn a statewide law.

After a federal judge in San Francisco declared Prop H8 unconstitutional in 2010, and state officials then refused to appeal, ProtectMarriage tried their hand at it, but the US Supreme Court ruled in June that initiative sponsors have no right to defend their measures in federal court.

Snap.

Still, in their challenge to the court, ProtectMarriage argued that a single judge lacked the authority to overturn a state constitutional amendment, and they also argued that Judge Vaughn Walker’s injunction applied to two counties at most and that state officials had overstepped their authority by ordering county clerks throughout California to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Alas, California officials countered that the ProtectMarriage challenge was a veiled attempt to persuade a state court to interfere with a federalcourt’s order in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

After that federal appeals court lifted a hold on Walker’s injunction, same-sex couples began marrying in California, and ProtectMarriage went back to the US Supreme Court the very next day to foot-stomp and head-snap that the appeals court acted prematurely because the high court’s decision was not even final.

The Supreme Court basically said to ProtectMarriage, ‘Bugger off.’

But they refused, and instead went to the California Supreme Court, asking the justices to halt the marriages immediately while considering the legal arguments, and then that court told ProtectMarriage to, well, ‘Bugger off.’

It’s over, it’s done, it’s dead.

California is a land of Marriage Equality and, um, ProtectMarriage?

Bugger off.

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Architecture Wednesday: The Smith-Clementi Residence

The Smith-Clementi Residence in Venice, California was built 93 years ago, and yet, as the result of two new additions, and a couple of remodels,it doesn't look a day over a year old. The original home, at 600 square feet, is now a spacious, open 2200 square foot modern, with traditional elements, home.

On the first floor, the remodel and additions created a new living area, kitchen/breakfast room, powder room, outdoor dining, garage, while on the new second floor, there is now the master suite, family room, office, two children’s bedrooms, children’s bath, and utility room.

The house slowly reveals itself along a walk-only street, with the design juxtapositions of the fencing: a vine-covered traditional wrought-iron fence leads into an raw- wood rustic picket fence. The front volume maintains a refined lap siding, a hint of the house’s bungalow origins.

The idea of “Cape Cod meets California Modern” home is seen in the varying rooflines that open the structure to natural light and create terraces for outdoor living. The resulting home now revolves around indoor/outdoor connections to the vast patio space with decorative and working gardens. The expressive back volume sports exaggerated vertical wood framing as sunshades to the glass master bedroom volume; but the beams connote a tree house and correspond to the picket fence in both material and attitude.  

Public areas on the ground floor flow into each other and toward the outdoors. A new large sliding-glass door opens the lower level out to the generous plaza of concrete slabs, grass and pea stone. A no-mow grass surrounds the front elevated entry porch, at which the consistent black concrete-tile flooring that travels from outside through the first-floor living, dining, and kitchen areas, then back outside to the al fresco dining platform begins.

Both front and back parts of the house are distinct on the ground floor—connected by the open-air dining terrace—while the upper-level bedrooms and family space are connected by a cement-board cladded “bridge”.

Immediately upon entering the home, one feels the senses of light and play. Window walls face the outdoor areas and clerestory windows express the changing levels. Standing in the living room, one can see clear through to the breakfast area, the outdoor dining space, and the garage. The living room features built-in and free-standing custom benches while the existing fireplace was re-clad in origami-like dark metal.

The open kitchen features a banquette and breakfast table, simple white cabinetry, and plywood- covered exhaust hood above the working antique stove. The custom butcher-block island unfolds to a playful Buffalo profile while the floor-to-ceiling plywood book and entertainment center leads to the heavy timber wood staircase.

Upstairs, two bedrooms and a shared bath for the owners’ children are separated from the master suite by the “bridge”. Central to the bridge is the open family room—a hub of activity combining TV viewing, computer, and various other functions that mirror the family’s lifestyle. 

The flooring changes from wood to cork tiles as it opens into the master suite, which includes seating area, terrace, bath, and walk-in closets. A seven-foot-high plywood wall acts as headboard and privacy shield to the alley. Sliding and pocket doors on two sides can be opened and closed as desired to manage degrees of openness. 

The hanging fireplace swivels to direct heat either toward the room or toward the balcony, while a plywood storage wall is inset with red doorways leading into closets and the master bath. Open shelves allow a clear view into the bath, which may alternately by closed off by sliding the door all the way across. White cabinetry and positive/negative tiles highlight the master bath.

The house grew for the last time--I think--in 2012, when the current owners purchased the lot next door to expand their outdoor space. Obtaining the neighboring lot gave the owners the freedom to open the home up to the outside and to orient the views toward the existing 80-year-old Magnolia Grande Flora tree. Also on the adjoining property sits an olive-colored house for homeowner's mother, who collaborated on the landscape.

It's quirky, and new, yet somehow seems timeless; it's a little Frank Lloyd Wright, too, in the built-ins, and the Prairie-style overhangs.

All in all, I'd say it suits me just fine.

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Ken Bencomo Wasn't Fired For Being Gay, He Was Fired For Being Married

Ken Bencomo and Christopher Persky

Out in San Bernardino, California, Ken Bencomo was a high school teacher at St. Lucy’s Priory High School, an all-girl Catholic school.

I say ‘was’ because Bencomo was fired this week for getting married; to a man.

Ken Bencomo and Christopher Persky were one of the first same-sex couples to get married in San Bernardino after the fall of Prop H8, and the local paper published their marriage announcement. But, less than two weeks later, Bencomo says he was fired.

Patrick McGarrigle, Bencomo’s attorney, said the school didn’t fire Bencomo for being gay, they fired him for getting ‘gay’ married: “Their reasoning was that he had gotten married and it was in the papers. The school’s position was that it violated its teachings.”

School administrators declined to discuss the firing, but, of course, issued a statement that read, in part: 

“We respect and protect privacy interests and, to be respectful of those involved, the school does not comment on confidential matters. St. Lucy’s wishes to reassure all in our community that upholding its mission to educate students in the tradition of the Catholic faith is of paramount importance.”

Respect the privacy of others, unless you get ‘gay’ married.

Ken Bencomo had been teaching at St. Lucy’s for 17 years; he was head of the English department and coached the dance squad. He was openly gay, and the school knew that--in fact, school officials had met Bencomo's partner Christopher several times--and had no problem renewing Bencomo’s contract every year for seventeen years until Bencomo got married; something he’s legally entitled to do.

Ken Bencomo hopes to resolve the situation without going to court; all he wants to do is keep doing the job he’s been doing for seventeen years, a job the ALLEGED good folks at St. Lucy’s felt he’s always done until he got ‘gay’ married.

Sidenote, Part One: I know, I know, he broke one of the tenets of the Catholic Church which, as Pope Frankie says, should not judge The Gays for being gay, but can judge The Gays for marrying one another. If only Ken Bencomo had not fallen in love, had not struggled to have the same kind of life as everyone else, had not been legally allowed the right of marriage.

He’d still have his job.

Sidenote, Part Two: I, personally, loathe the term ‘gay marriage’ but used it here as a point of sarcasm, because Ken Bencomo didn’t get ‘gay’ married, he simply got married.

Go HERE to sign a petition asking that Ken Bencomo get his job back.

via CBS Los Angeles

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Architecture Wednesday: City Views From Tiburon

There aren't many places that I love more than San Francisco; being in that city is like nothing I've ever felt before. But, sometimes even better than being in The City, is living with a view of The City.
And that would mean this house located across the bay, in Tiburon.
It has five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, living room, dining room, 2 family rooms, a media room and, best of all since I'd be so close to California Wine Country: a 1500 bottle wine cellar.
And it can be all mine for just $7.495 million.

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Random Musings

This week Pope Francis lamented about the “gay lobby” that was at work at the Vatican in private remarks to the leadership of a key Latin American church group.

In related news, I can confirm that the sun rose in the east this morning.

Up there in the big city, New York City, residents of a certain building are living in fear for their lives and have filed suit to stop a …. Wait for it …. Denny’s restaurant from opening in their building.’

The condo board at 150 Nassau St. has portrayed, ahem, cough cough, “America’s diner” as unfit for their upscale address—where a 3-bedroom unit recently sold for $3.5 million. The suit contends Denny’s restaurants are a “haven for violence, disorderly conduct, and alcohol-drenched patrons.”

Your point? I mean, if I had a nickel for every time I was drunk and disorderly in a Denny’s I could’a bought that three million dollar condo.

Just sayin’.

Without a single landslide, earthquake, or volcanic eruption, more than 2,400 gay and lesbian couples have gotten married in Washington state since the state’s voter-approved same-sex marriage law took effect last December.

According to the Department of Health:

—Same-sex marriages occurred in 35 of the state’s 39 counties

—Same-sex marriages represented more than 20 percent of the 11,661 marriages that took place during that same period of time.

—King County had the highest number of same-sex marriages, with 1,321.

—63% of same-sex marriages were female couples.

—14% of the weddings were for couples who had traveled to Washington state from other states.

And, like I said, Washington is still standing.

Wildwood, New Jersey Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. thinks he's found a way to put one of the town's problems, um, for lack of a better word, behind it.

He is set to ban, ban, BAN overly saggy pants; no ifs, ands or butts. The city is set to pass yet another law regulating how people dress on its boardwalk; it already bans shirtless folks, and shoeless folks, and now, baggy drawered folks, too.

But who determines the amount of acceptable sag? Well, apparently the rule will be pants that sag more than 3 inches below the hips, exposing either skin or underwear.

I think I might have found my calling: Saggy Pant Measurer.

Troiano said:  "When you have good families who call you up and say, 'I've been coming here 20 years, 30 years, 40 years and I'm not going to any longer because I'm not going to subject my children or my parents or grandparents to seeing some kid walk down the boardwalk with their butt hanging out,' you have to do something," he said. "I'm not one of the Fruit of the Loom underwear inspectors; I'm not one of the grapes. I don't want to see it."

I’m.Not.One.Of.The.Grapes?

LeAnn Rimes is all over TV plugging her newest album, and talking about her marriage to Eddie Cibrian, whom she met and f**ked while they were both married to other people.

She said that, while it was hard … hee hee hard …. She admitted to her family and her husband at the time, that she had made the mistake of cheating.

Really LeAnn? I know you’re a songwriter, but now you’re also a history re-writer?

Your ‘admission’ of infidelity came when the tabloids began publishing pictures of you and the married-to-someone-else-too Eddie getting’ all snoggy at an LA coffee shop. This makes one think that if you hadn’t gotten caught, you never would have admitted a thing. Then she goes on to say that she trusts Eddie, and he trusts her.

Two people who screwed around on their spouses trust one another.

I.Laugh. And then I ask LeAnn to STFU.

And, since we’ve already discussed same-sex marriage in Washington, let’s look at some good news out of California.

A new poll in the LA Times reveals that 58% of the state's registered voters believe same-sex marriage should be legal, compared with 36% against. Just three years ago, the numbers were 52% in favor and 40% against.

It’s gonna happen people.

So, there’s this thing called a Purity Ball, where fathers get to take their virgin daughters:

Dads, escort your daughter to an unforgettable event where hundreds of young ladies dressed in formal attire and their dashing fathers will celebrate purity! This extraordinary evening includes an elegant atmosphere, pictures, gourmet dinner and dessert, flowers, music and other surprises sure to delight both father and daughter. Legacy’s President and popular speaker, Carrie Abbott, will deliver a unique message to dads and daughters and our Master of Ceremonies will facilitate a purity covenant.

Yeah, whatever, but ….

What’s funny is the price: $69. Yes, fathers and daughters and 69. Seriously, did know one at Purity Central think maybe they should have changed that to $68.95?

Henry Cavill.

Super.Man.

I am not really big on the cartoon-cum-feature-film genre and usually wait to see them on TV, but there’s something about Henry that I just can’t put my finger on which makes me wanna see this one of the big peen, er, screen.

I wish I could put my finger on it. Hell, I’d need both hands.

Ever made a mistake at work? I have. My first mistake was taking the job. I kid.

But this guy, over there to Germany, made the most amazing mistake ever.

The man, an employee of a German bank, was in the middle of transferring 62.40 euros from a customer’s bank account when he fell asleep at the keyboard and his head mashed the number 2 key, turning that 62.40 transfer into one of 222,222,222.22 euros, AKA $300 million!

And I thought I had f**ked up on occasion!

Speaking of millions, the group One Million Moms—which, according to their Facebook page, actually number in the 56,000 range, but Fifty-Six Thousand Moms doesn’t sound so powerful—is going after Kraft foods for that ad right there:

‘Last week's issue of People Magazine had the most disgusting ad on the inside front cover that we have ever seen Kraft produce. A full 2-page ad features a n*ked man lying on a picnic blanket with only a small portion of the blanket barely covering his g*nitals. It is easy to see what the ad is really selling. A person has to look closely to see the item the company is marketing because the salad dressing bottle is so small next to the male model, picnic basket and other food items. There is also a small Kraft logo in the upper corners with the words "Silverware Optional - Let's Get Zesty." The website getmezesty.com is listed in the bottom corner.

Kraft has gone too far and will push away loyal, conservative customers with this new ad campaign. Christians will not be able to buy Kraft dressings or any of their products until they clean up their advertising. The consumers they are attempting to attract - women and mothers - are the very ones they are driving away. Who will want Kraft products in their fridge or pantry if this vulgarity is what they represent? One Million Moms cannot get over the gall of this company. It is unnecessary for Kraft to use s*x to sell salad dressing!’

PS the little asterisks in the words naked and sex and genitals are there because, as the OMM says, their word can get out against browsers that filter against those words.

Or, because OMM gets all hot-n-bothered typing naked sex genitals.

Hillary’s on Twitter y’all, and her first Tweet was to the guys who created the Texts from Hillary craze. I can’t wait till she’s President.

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