Surprise!

So, Deb and I got married yesterday. It was just us and the Justice Of The Peace; so you see, no one has been excluded, or rather, everyone was, I guess. In any case, there were a number of reasons for Deb and I to do the legal thing now, but, as is sometimes the case, I misjudged the importance this formality would have for people (aside from myself and Deb, of course.) I didn't anticipate the interest, excitement, not to say hysteria our little meeting with the Justice of the Peace has occasioned. 

So consider our union announced. WHOOOO! HOOOOO! We're tickled fuschia. 

HOWEVER, There will still be a big splashy party/wedding/shindig next August. 

You see, I asked the JP if Deb and I could have one of those newly legalized 'gay marriages.' (The last two I was at were so lovely.) But she said we couldn't have one! Well, we're not going to let her stop us: you all can join us next year for our fabulous, festive and completely legal 'Gay Marriage.' It'll be great; complete with a ceremony fit for two religious studies geeks with Bourbon and champagne flowing freely, dancers, jugglers, metal bands and exotic predatory cats (sedated;) wild rhinoceroses and wildebeests will be roasted over a magnificent fireworks display and all of Debbie's and my varied array of friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances and colleagues in the war on dreariness and tedium will be in attendance.

The one thing you all will be left out of is the wedding pictures. Below you will see the only three wedding pictures anyone ever needs. All three were taken by Marcia, our Justice Of The Peace. At our gay marriage there will be too much revelry for anyone to pick up a camera.

Comments

[Jennifer]

You probably didn't realize your near-celebrity status. You're lucky there were no papparazzi.

So congratulations, you two!

[christine]

fabulous. :>

[ami_1]

so meant to be. :)

[Roger]

Congratulations to you both! Jennifer and I did it the same way - though we were barely 20 at the time, had no friends to speak of, and no family that we really wanted to party with. I like your idea of getting the paperwork out of the way first, then having the big party a year later - maybe we'll have our big party 40 years after the fact.

[Lulu Cryan]

Okay, okay. I see now. I mean, I can see you now. You look even better than the hot red chiles in your lushy garden. Yet, I am still feeling, as I now see that my weddingless guests felt, bereft of instruction and at loose ends. Where do send the balloon bouquets, and when? Do you love the Ginsu knives or the Foreman Party Sized Grilling Machine? Your love makes us so happy! Best send instructions soon!

[richbachelor]

The sick paradox of it all is that I was down on the waterfront in downtown Portland when you sent me that pic, and I commented back, "Aw, nice!"

And I was setting up a stage for Luis Palau, who I believe is from your hometown. Religio-corporate shit is always a hard gig, and it was nice to see yer faces.

Today, I met a woman who could easily be Deb, ten years ago. Are we sure she has no fam in OR?

In any case, I hate weddings. Just glad to be invited to the party, as you know. We're all lucky to be invited to the party, to make the larger point.

kudos, y'damn fuckhound.

[Donna]

Congratulations! The photos are fantastic and you both look gorgeous.

[george Popham]

Wow. SEVEN comments. (And many more emails, phonecalls and text messages.)
I... I hardly know what to say...
OK we all know that's not true. Still, I had to *get married* to get these comments, fer Shakti's sake! I'll have to get elected to the senate or win a duel with Antonin Scalia to get this kind of turnout again. (Pistols, staplers, chainsaws I don't care, bring it on, your (dis)honor. You can bring your overlord Pope Benny as your second.)

Actually, I don't really care about the comments so much, but I do forget that people actually read this thing sometimes.

"Yet, I am still feeling, as I now see that my weddingless guests felt, bereft of instruction and at loose ends. Where do send the balloon bouquets, and when? Do you love the Ginsu knives or the Foreman Party Sized Grilling Machine? Your love makes us so happy! Best send instructions soon!"

We just found out that our very generous and splendid friends Adair and Marin are going to let us use their house up in the Berkshires for the big fandango next year. The place doubles as a retreat center often, so there's lots of space, acres of yard, hiking trails and lots of general gorgeousness. So, my instructions would be that everyone make sure you get your asses there for the week of August 15 next year. It's going to be a weekend long festival type thing, so don't book your return flight for Monday, you'll need a hangover day. We'll make breakfast and lay around in the grass. BTW, Les, your email made Deb and I just about spew diet coke in laughter. I think I'll quote you in the next post.

Oh and Rich, in regard to this:

"And I was setting up a stage for Luis Palau, who I believe is from your hometown."

He (Loo-EES puh-LAOW) as it is phonetically rendered on his site, was originally from Argentina, but yes he was a member of Cedar Mill Bible Church back during the pre-adolescent reformation when, in the wake of my parents divorce, we switched from catholic, to lutheran, to nazerene, to bible church, to southern baptist. I was in SUnday school with puh-LAOW's kids who were, predictably, little shitheads, from what little I remember of them.

"kudos, y'damn fuckhound."

Haaaawwww heheheheh heeee heeee heeeee. I'm not sure why that makes me so happy but you can be my second in the duel with Scalia.

[richbachelor]

Ah yes, preacher's kids. They're always a headache.

Of course, further wedding wishes -of a sort- available over at my place, for those who wish to read them.

[Allison]

Congrats! Did you get our text message?