I have NYE off! And I didn't realize it until last week. Nice surprise. So I'm going to yoga and lunch w/ friend. Then best friend from SF will come to town and we'll maybe go to a friend's party and definitely bring some personal-sized champagnes and go to the ball drop at the Miracle on 34th St. Then New Year's Day brunch.

For now, I have to get myself off the couch and take the dog for a walk and go to bed. Couch so comfy though.

My NYE plans are to spend a relaxing evening at home. Alone. I haven't had any time alone in two weeks, and I am getting TWITCHY.

NYE: We have a Rock Band party with fencers. I foresee a potentially blackmailable combination of competitiveness and sheer dorkitude.

NYE -- Nothing

possibly making something for NYD brunch

Huh. Interesting case. [link]

A lesbian couple from New Jersey who were barred from holding a civil union ceremony last year at a beachfront pavilion owned by a church group won a legal victory on Monday.

I'm kind of torn on this one. And I want to know what that pavilion has been used for in the past -- if it's been mostly just church stuff, then I'd see it differently than if it's been rented out for a lot of different things. A place that's owned by a church but not used as a church seems tricky.

I'm kind of torn on this one. And I want to know what that pavilion has been used for in the past -- if it's been mostly just church stuff, then I'd see it differently than if it's been rented out for a lot of different things. A place that's owned by a church but not used as a church seems tricky.

I'm also torn, for much the same reasons. I would even go further and say that if the pavilion counts as private property, the owners would have the right to rent or not rent it as they pleased. As Hil says, a lot of it has to do with the history of how the place is used. If the pavilion is generally open to the public, that would be a different matter than if it was normally just 'members only' access.

While part of me is thinking 'yay! recognition for their rights!' another part of me is wondering how I'd view the outcome of that case if the plaintiffs had been, say, a group of Scientologists who'd wanted to hold a service there.

I'm also torn. In my town, however, there were several church buildings that were pretty much used for anything-- rotary club, kiwanis, weddings, rehearsals, exercise classes, and it would have been weird if it was denied to anyone. Of course, it was own by Unitarians, so I can't imagine them doing so. It was much harder to rent the hall from the Grange!

IIRC, the argument for the case did exactly revolve around how "public" the pavilion was. It was certainly not consecrated, at least.

We are expecting a big fat snowstorm here. I'm so glad I didn't wait until today to make the drive back from PA!

So. Greetings from 2009, Buffistas.

How does the new year look, billytea? Is it safe to go in?