Well, they say as California goes, so does the rest of the country. Those poor rednecks and super conservatives will be up in arms over this one. California is passing legislation that would allow the male partner in marriage to take his wife’s last name. I don’t know many men who are willing to do that. I think I need to meet that kind of guy. Where do I find one? This will also allow for those in domestic partnerships to take a common last name without going through the cost and lengthly legal hoops to change a last name.

It looks like several other states have already beat California to this enlightened legal state. Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York and North Dakota allow a man to take on his new spouse’s family name.

This comes at a strange time when I’ve been considering changing my name. I would like my last name to revert back to it’s original spelling, and I’d like my first name to not be a nickname. It is quite process, so I can understand everyone’s issues. Although my consideration has nothing to do with marriage. Anyone else out there with me in changing their last name to something either easier to pronounce, spell or to correct the crazy spellers at Ellis Island?

Through an email from Champs-Elysees (French learning CDs), I came across this gem from an American living in France. I came across this quote, which I love so much that I’m putting it here.

Le pessimiste pense que toutes les femmes sont des garces. L’optimiste l’espère bien.
A pessimist is a man who thinks all women are bad. An optimist is one who hopes they are. –Chauncey Depew

How many of you know men like that or are men like that?

As a service to my few readers, I’m posting a link to this most recent article on bees. (You may have to watch an ad to read.) If you haven’t heard about the bees dying off, then you have been living under a rock. Although I come across a few now and then who have heard nothing, but I can hardly see how that’s possible. I don’t know if you’ve even paid attention to the bees in your own backyard. I have quit a few flowering plants and nearly no bees. The bees that do come seem very docile. Hardly buzzing. Hardly moving.

I’m off to get a “tan” this morning after letting my do-it-yourself experiment fade. Then I’m back to do some work.

What a long weekend! This picture perfectly describes my weekend.

It has been a day of planting. I started yesterday, but finished today. It took a little while to make a large enough hole for the new tree. I put a peach tree in an empty corner of the backyard.

I also planted three dwarf lilies of the Nile.

Here’s what the flowers look like up close.

You will see these a lot out here. I read up on these as well, and apparently they behave like weeds–they tend to take over everything. I don’t mind here along the fence because nothing wants to grow there but weeds.

I also finally got a hibiscus.

I spent part of the day yesterday reading up on backyard orchards in California. I got a lot of information on how to plant my peach tree. I can’t wait to see what the fruit is like. It came with 2 peaches. These are supposed to be white flesh peaches.

In my reading on fruit trees, I found out the kind fertilizer I needed, so it was back to the store this morning. The tree fertilizer excited the dog a bit too much. I’m hoping she doesn’t decide to dig up the tree. Trees require manure-based fertilizers…so it’s a bit stinky out there by the tree.

When I was finished, I had a feeling of great satisfaction. I don’t know where that came from, but I felt good.

Back in journalism school, I had a class in typography (study of fonts). I loved this class. I knew all the fonts–it was part of your grade. This was even a question on a test once: “What typeface would you be and why?”.

Helvetica, a ubiquitous typeface, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Most of this information I got from Slate. Helvetica was designed by the Haas Type Foundry in Swizterland. Since then, the typeface can be seen everywhere from Target, American Airlines to New York City’s subway system. The typeface you see here as body text is Arial. Bummer.

Here’s something I didn’t know. I had learned to distinguish Arial from Helvetica back in typography class. Arial is Microsoft’s cheaper alternative. Helvetica was licensed by Apple. Microsoft chose a different route.

Helvetica is the subject of a small exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. There is also a book Helvetica: Homage to a Typeface. A new feature-length documentary, Helvetica (2007) has been playing at film festivals and art schools since March.

A conversation keeps playing in my head about a dress I had for sale (still for sale) on the garage sale. This is a dress I bought years ago for a cruise. Long, beaded gown in navy blue. Very pretty. But deemed as “matronly” by others. I feel the need to defend my dress choice. I bought the dress in the Midwest several years ago now. Low-cut, breast-baring styles just weren’t the thing at the time.  I’m a mom, not a hoochie momma. Also this cruise was a family cruise. One we never got to take. So my then nine-year-old son was going on the cruise. had this been a cruise just for me and other adults, my clothing choices would have been much different, but I still would have had to deal with what was available.

A year before I had worn a Chinese style dress to a concert that I took my son to for Christmas. His eyes popped out of his head. Yes, just like a grown man. I wasn’t inclined towards baring a lot of skin on a family cruise nor around my son. As my son has grown older, he has to deal with friends who think his mom is “hot.” I never had to deal with this. I can’t even imagine what it is like. Even going shopping with him can be bothersome for him as he sees all the men staring at his mom. As he has gotten into his teen years, he notices more and knows exactly what they are thinking. He doesn’t think much of them. In fact, he stares them down. So everyone will have to pardon me if I pick more conservative outfits when I’m out with my son. It’s more for his comfort than mine.

I get asked that a lot. Lately I haven’t known what to say. I know there is a lot that is new, but how interesting do others find it? I’m still working on my project, although it has been a slow week coming up to the holiday. I had a seminar end this week, and the other didn’t meet. So I’m off to live in my now quiet head.

I have my costume for Tahitian competition. Well, all but the flower. I have to decide on a flower, and it has to be real. So that means it has to last all day (from 7 am to about 6 pm).

Last weekend I was busy meeting up with friends–even after a long day at the garage sale. It seems that most people are out of town this weekend or have other plans, but perhaps something will come up spur of the moment. A friend is supposed to have a party either Friday or Saturday, but I haven’t heard anything further.

Oh, I finally got a Nintendo Wii, which is supposed to be for my son. I have been playing. It’s a lot of fun. I ended up with a sore arm from playing tennis.

Work? Well, it’s still the same, although it seems that some new interest could provide more immediate funding. Just have to see.

The cats are pretty much the same. So is the dog. I have one cat with an immune disorder, and he’s not looking so good right now. Not much I can do about it other than keep him comfortable. It’s kind of icky to watch him waste away.

Last week I tagged Mr. Fab. He finally got around to posting the meme along with this little gem:  “The always fabulous Liz has affixed her strap-on and mounted and memed me.” I’m not sure if I should be flattered or angry. Although this post should bring me some interesting searches.

Out of the three I tagged, Mr. Fab is the first. You boys should get on it.

Thanks to Kelly for this little diversion. Very telling, actually.