2001 Disney, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

I am still uploading some of our old photos! This group is the 2001 set. There are some pictures of NY at 9/11. I can’t believe the 9 year anniversary is coming up next week.

We’ve been super busy – a little too busy! I think the highlight for me was an opportunity to go to an actual premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theater for the movie “The Lottery Ticket”. It was like being in an episode of Entourage! Our friend Steve is a producer. I used to work with his wife and we’ve stayed close. We got to the theater, walked on the red path – I don’t want to say carpet, because it was sort of behind the main carpet! And we are such hicks – we were excited because the popcorn was free! P. Diddy was two rows behind us. After the movie, we rode with them and their friends in a limo to the W in Hollywood. We got out, security escorted us to the elevators and up we went to the after party. It was at this gorgeous club at the top of the hotel next to a pool. Our friend had a cabana and a private waitress! Can you see I’m still star struck! It was so much fun! My friend Susie was so funny – any time the waitress came in, she ordered something! We sat in the cabana next to the pool overlooking HollywoodIt was great to be able to support them. He’s worked so hard! The movie did so-so the first weekend so I am hoping it does better!

We’ve also been to the Bowl twice and after all this fun, I really hit a wall last week! We volunteered at Project Angel Food on Sunday and I lifted quite a bit. About an hour in, I was pooped! I took several breaks, but couldn’t finish my shift. Tim worked for another hour and we went home. I felt the after effects of that work all week! I was too tired to join Cathy, Kurt, Olivia and Tim at Disney. I knew it would be hard to put in a power day and I hated to hold them up!

So I’ve rested, cooked and beaded a ton this weekend!

Our General Counsel at work gave me the 138 page judgment in the Proposition 8 case. I liked the summary and wanted to print. This morning someone on the radio said that majority rules in the case of discrimination is ridiculous.

From the 138 page judgment on the Proposition 8 issues in CA:

Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians. The evidence shows conclusively that Proposition 8 enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples. FF 76, 79-80; Romer, 517 US at 634 (“[L]aws of the kind now before us raise the inevitable inference that the disadvantage imposed is born of animosity toward the class of persons affected.”).

Because Proposition 8 disadvantages gays and lesbians without any rational justification, Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

CONCLUSION
Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

REMEDIES
Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition 8. California is able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result, see FF 64-66; moreover, California officials have chosen not to defend Proposition 8 in these proceedings. Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and directing the official defendants that all persons under their control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8.

2000 New Years ML, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

I wanted to post a few pictures from the scans that I did. Our scanner is not connecting correctly to the computer so Tim has to do a little research to fix. I want to take each of my old albums and pick out some favorite shots.

I took this picture in 2000 at the Smokehouse. We went with David and Steven and Judy and Michael! It was fun, but we didn’t tip enough. I remember Judy going back the next day to leave more for the waiter.

Tonight, we are heading to the Starlight Bowl in Burbank to see Berlin. Next week is our last night. I can’t believe how fast the summer is going or how cool it is! I’m scared the fall will be incredibly hot!

IMG_5832, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

I hadn’t had a chance to post a few shots for the 4th of July! I had a nice weekend with my brother. Here he and Judy are manning the grill!

, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

We are halfway through the Starlight Bowl concert series this weekend! This should not be confused with the Hollywood Bowl! The venue is smaller and the acts are very different. We see the Mariachi Divas tonight! We bought a box (very cheap) with our friends Patty and Erik. We split up the cooking. One week, Tim and I cook and she and Erik bring the wine and appetizers and then the next week, we flip it. This week I am on cooking duty so I am bringing a cold salmon salad. I also made mini cheddar and jalapeno muffins and chocolate chip cookies.

We are going to the Hollywood Bowl next week with some friends and I am really excited! I love the Bowl. We bought two nights back in May.

Tim has been updating his studio. He put up new curtains and planned to hang them on a wire. But the wire wasn’t strong enough. I asked him if we could take the wire and hang it in the hallway so I could put pictures, cards, etc. that we get during the year. Every year on New Year’s Eve, we sit down and write out the events that were special to us. I thought every year we could collect the items that we hung and it will help us remember! I’m really excited about it and hung up some things that I have been saving!

, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

Last Thursday, we were lucky enough to see the American Ballet Theater perform Sleeping Beauty! It was a stunning production at the Dorothy Chandler pavilion in downtown LA. I love the ballet so much. The American Ballet Theater is Baryshnikov’s former company. In fact, the first ballet that I saw was the TV production of the Nutcracker that he performed with Gelsey Kirkland. Gelsey was a choreographer for the performance we saw last Thursday.

Before the show, we ate outside at the Patina restaurant in front of the Dorothy Chandler. It was super hot – so of course, we needed a nice glass of white wine!

Hands in the hall, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

Tim took this! It’s too funny.

photo.jpg, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

Yesterday we drove down to Anaheim to visit David, Steven and Adam. They were on vacation for David’s birthday. It was so nice to see them! We ate at Goofy’s Kitchen. I was a little concerned because it’s a character dining experience. So I figured the food would be kind of bad, but it was really good. And they had a table of kids foods that was so cute! Hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets. It was too funny! We didn’t go in to the park. It’s been incredibly hot down here! It’s been hitting close to 100 every day. The weird part is that it doesn’t cool down until late in the evening. We went to the ballet the other night and when we left downtown LA at 10:30, it was still 86!

P4290051, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

My wonderful brother-in-law JR is celebrating his birthday today! I just wish we were celebrating with him!

IMG_0059, originally uploaded by shanaj67.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve really come to love the 4th of July. We usually spend time with friends and family and cook a lot! This year is no exception. Tim went to Oregon this year to visit his family (I miss him like crazy!!). Last night he hung out with David, played music and went to a party. His family has a party every year and he’s missed it since we moved. We talked about going together this year, but I don’t have vacation time! Lucky for me, Rich came down to LA. We went to see “Eclipse” yesterday and then out to dinner with Anneliese. She recommended this amazing Mexican restaurant in Montrose that had potato flautas! Their mole’ sauce was to die for!

Today, we are hanging with Judy and Michael. When you cook with Judy, it’s not just regular barbeque food! She’s making her famous vodka cherry tomatoes, beef teriyaki kebabs and she is duplicating the grapefruit cake from the Brown Derby. Rich and I are making grilled bread with asparagus and brie, twice baked potatoes, grilled veggies and marinated tofu. I’m so excited! I do have to work tomorrow, which is a bummer!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!