Well, even though I was ranting on Friday about wishing I was anywhere but Dallas, it turns out that I’m extraordinarily lucky as Saturday turned out to be quite a great day as after the training session, I spent the evening with my dad! Â I haven’t actually seen my dad since my & Larry’s journey across the country when moving to California, and of course that’s far too long.
So I reached out to him a day or so before flying out to Dallas, once I saw that I was actually going to have some time during the evening. Â Obviously it’s kind of a long drive from the San Antonio area up to Dallas, so I definitely caveated my invitation knowing it was a schlep, but he drove those 300+ miles/5+ hours and got here like a champ. Â He was a bit early so he also took a side-trip to Dealey Plaza to kill the time while I finished my session, but after that, we met up at the hotel bar for a few drinks before then walking over to the Dakota Steakhouse. Â He wanted a steak house as our dinner destination and I think we chose quite a good one, to be honest. Â Very good food, a great waiter who made some good recommendations for wine and main courses, and honestly just a great time having some one-on-one time with mein Vater. Â After a lively dinner with conversation topics ranging throughout the spectrum, we stumbled back to the hotel and stayed up as much as possible before finally going to sleep around 9 or so.
Dad left first thing in the morning and reports he’s safely back home – here’s hoping to be seeing him again much sooner than 4 years. Â Likely a WEDDING will force his travel plans!
…and I’m in Dallas for some anti-money laundering training for the WEEKEND never thinking how huge a day June 26, 2015 was going to be. Â Fuck. Â What I wouldn’t give to be back home today and celebrate this amazing day with Larry, my family, my friends….
Of course, first, we had the sensational news that the Supreme Court had effectively stricken down the laws against gay marriage in states that had them, and thus gay marriage was legal throughout the country. Â About fucking time. Â I’m going to quote here, for posterity, the wonderful statement made in Justice Kennedy’s remarks:
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. Â In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. Â As some of the petitioners in this case demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. Â It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Â Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Â Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. Â They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. Â The Constitution grants them that right.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.
It is so ordered.
SO ordered, indeed. Â I can’t wait to get home and start really getting ready for my completely nationwide-legal wedding to Larry!
Later in the day, as President Obama was speaking his eulogy for the slain pastor from last week’s slaughter in Charleston, he sang “Amazing Grace” and reduced anyone watching to tears:
Incredible.
I will miss this President when his term is finished.
And so now I sit here and wish I was back home. Â Tonight is the Sound of Music Sing-a-long at the Hollywood Bowl, which is way earlier than it has ever been before. Â My mom is using my ticket though so at least something good is coming of it as she’s not had the experience. Â It is the 50th anniversary of the movie, so maybe some awesome surprises are on their way? Â For my part, I’m listening to the soundtrack (“My Favorite Things” is currently playing). Â GOD DAMN, why didn’t I look at my fucking personal calendar before signing up for this fucking training????? Â I am actually physically angry at how this turned out.
The one good thing that I really am going to focus on is that things are going to work out and I’ll get to see my dad tomorrow after the session is done! Â It’s quite a schlep he’ll be making so I’m super appreciative. Â Can’t believe how long it’s been, yet again.
Finally, after today’s session, I quickly hightailed it over to the Book Depository here in Dallas, TX. Â After reading 11/22/63 and of course just the morbid fascination that such a place in history holds, I knew that if I was going to do anything touristy, that would be it. Â It ends up being quite an experience, as they’ve put up a very intense and immersive experience on the 6th floor of the depository, which is where Oswald carried out Kennedy’s assassination. Â The corner of the building he was situated in has been recreated to look like it was, and it’s decidedly creepy. Â A very good exhibit nonetheless – I’ve taken pictures but I don’t have an easy way that I can think of at the moment to get them here…but I may update this post shortly as I’m thinking of something.…Yay, Google Photos – thanks for making this work out after all…Pictures!
June 26, 2015 – Visiting the Book Depository in Dallas, TX
These pics are great - if you get close, you'll see they're composed of thousands of tiny pics...26-Jun-2015 17:58, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200
My fun days of traveling are only just beginning! Â Off to some certification bootcamp fun for the weekend….WHY didn’t I think a little bit more about the fact it was on a weekend????? Â Anyway, I’m sure it’ll be tons of fun but I will be looking forward to the following 4-day weekend, even if there’s no plans to really do anything. Â 4 days off!!!!
Regarding BB17, I’m not positive I’ll have my recap post up tonight – actually count on it not being there, probably not until Friday.
