the harmonious notes of life

One of my goals for this summer was to actually explore Oregon a little better than we have been doing. Of course, I meant to do it during the /day/ when we could actually enjoy the scenery, but, a midnight roadtrip isn't *entirely* out of the question. Especially when one wants to go stargazing. Which Steve and I did last night. The trick is, though, since we live a fairly large city, is to get far enough away that the city lights don't interfere with your view. So, we did.

We took a road trip (leaving around 11:30pm) to Lookout Mountain, which is just a few miles east of Mt Hood, and about 2 hours later, we were greeted with one of the most amazingly clear view of the stars we could have asked for. And off to the west, a gorgeous Mt Hood backlit by Portland's glow (about 70 miles away). Though bundled with multiple layers (I had 2 long-sleeve shirts on, a fleece and a winter coat with a scarf, gloves, hunting socks and trail shoes *plus* a blanket), we eventually gave in that it was simply too cold for the provisions we had brought (namely, me), and only stayed for about 1.5 hours. But, they were an amazing 1.5 hours.

We did get to see quite a few of the meteors from the Perseids even though we went out a night earlier than suggested. And when I saw "quite a few", I mean we saw one probably every 30-60 seconds. Honestly? That was purely coincidental. I had wanted to go stargazing for a few weeks now and earlier last week we just decided we were going to do it after I got off work on Saturday. (If we didn't set the date, we wouldn't ever make it out.)

The view in the middle of the night was amazing. I can't imagine what the view during the day would be like. I want to go back and find out!

A quote: "This past week has been like no other. On Monday the world witnessed the tragedy at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. On Tuesday Oregon witnessed the passage of Domestic Benefits for same-sex couples (HB 2007) and Civil Rights based on sexual orientation."

Thank you, Republican Oregon State Representative Dennis Richardson. I enjoyed reading that you equate *civil union rights and domestic benefits for same-sex couples* as equally tragic as *30 students being slaughtered while trying to attend class*. You know what? Fuck you.

I'm sick of this gay rights issue. It shouldn't even be an issue. It really shouldn't, but yet, our government is *so blinded* by the idea that people whose lives won't affect them at all might potentially have a different lifestyle than theirs that they're more wrapped up with that than the aftermath of 30-something innocent people being gunned down. And their reality is so warped that they see these events as equally tragic.

I'm appalled. I'm absolutely disgused.

I don't care if Marcia and Lucy get married. Really I don't. It has nothing to do with *my* marriage. My marriage is my responsibility. The sanctity of my marriage is determined by our committment to each other and the blessing of the church we choose, if a church is chosen. Other copules' lives together have nothing to do with that. If two people choose to live together, and choose to spend their lives together, then choose to devote themselves to each other, it doesn't affect me.

On the other hand, the tragic deaths at Virginia Tech don't affect me first-hand either. But, I'm hard-pressed to believe that I should feel equally heart-broken for both issues.

Just. Ugh. I'm trying very hard to not say, "Fucking Republicans", but it's getting harder and harder.