INTERESTING: Post Secret

i am always on the lookout for interesting things online, to share with you professionally and personally. POST SECRET has been a favourite website for some time.


In case you have never seen Post Secret, it is "an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard". The creator of Post Secret receives so many contributions that he is unable to keep each week's selections online permanently.

i came across these two Post(ed) wedding Secrets recently. they aren't the cheeriest posts, but then again, the cards often are not.

NEWS: Prop. 8 Supreme Court Arguments Begin...follow on Twitter?!

If you are unable to watch the Prop. 8 broadcasts online, on TV, or at a live viewing place, you can follow the goings on on TWITTER... NCL Rights is tweeting. You don't need to login or register, just click on the link and read!

NEWS: Attorney General Jerry Brown - on why "Proposition 8 Should Be Struck Down"

An excerpt from Jerry Brown's 3 March 09 piece via the Huffington Post:

"The (argument against Proposition 8) case touches the heart of our democracy and poses a profound question: can a bare majority of voters strip away an inalienable right through the initiative process? If so, what possible meaning does the word inalienable have?"

NEWS: Live Video of California Supreme Court Hearing on Proposition 8

The Supreme Court has announced that an oral argument will be held in the Prop. 8 cases tomorrow, Thursday, March 5, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The three cases being heard challenge the constitutionality of Proposition 8: Strauss v. Horton, S168047; Tyler v. State of California, S168066; City and County of San Francisco v. Horton, S168078 (the Supreme Court orders may be viewed here). In the cases before the court, the court has issued an order listing the following three issues to be briefed and argued:

1. Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution?
2. Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution?
3. If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?

The court will issue a written opinion in the cases within 90 days of oral argument. Proposition 8 was a statewide ballot initiative passed by a majority of California voters in November 2008.

To watch a live stream of the hearing, tune in to the CALIFORNIA CHANNEL or on SFGTV online. If you live in the Bay Area, you can also tune in to Comcast cable channel 78 and Astound cable channel 28.

For further information, please consult these websites:
California Courts official website
LAMDA Legal

REVIEW: A book about Southern hospitality and funerals

Here is how Pat Williams of the Conroe Courier in Montgomery County, Texas begins her review of BEING DEAD IS NO EXCUSE: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral by Gayden Metcalf & Charlotte Hays:

"The first rule of funeral behavior for the women of the South, especially those near the Mississippi Delta, is that everyone must look good – both the dead and the survivors. The second rule deals with the amounts and types of food brought to the home following the service."

The remainder sounds like the book is an interesting read, filled with discussion, humour and history about the foods (and drinks!) and traditions of funeral-hosting in the South.

WEDDING: At Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullerton, CA

CONGRATULATIONS, Jenna and Tyler!!!

Sometimes, Mother Nature has a fantastic way of giving gifts. The couple, who planned their outdoor wedding months ago, were faced this week with the possibility of showers, especially after a week of sporadic rainfall... But, after much good energy and positive thinking toward hopes of a sunny day, we were fortunate to have it turn out to be a lovely California afternoon. The dirt beneath the grass was a bit mushy, but not muddy, and the ceremony was a complete success.

Tyler and Jenna are a testament to the term, "go with the flow". They are one of the most easygoing, unstressed couples i have had the pleasure to officiate for! Their lovely, intimate wedding took place with about 60 guests in the lovely grass area of Muckenthaler Cultural Centre. The venue's fantastic staff was led by the unflappable Rick. You are assured to receive the best service in his extremely capable hands.

Many thanks also to Duane, catering director and Muckenthaler events coordinator extraordinaire!

VALENTINE'S DAY Weddings 2009

Dear Engaged Couple,
There is still time to plan for your special Valentine's Day wedding ceremony or vow renewal! And this year, Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday...

At any time, if you plan to be married, you must obtain a marriage license from the Clerk-Recorder's office near you. A public marriage license requires at least one witness over the age of 18 in addition to an officiant/minister/clergy person. A confidential marriage license only requires an officiant/minister/clergy person.

If you have any questions, please contact me! i would love to provide you with more information. i am currently booking ceremonies and i am available to create and perform your wedding.

And, even if you do not plan to be married, you can still celebrate your love and declare your commitment to each other in a vow renewal or commitment/life union ceremony.

Thank you,
v
http://www.ceremonyceremony.com/
celebrantvenusPLEASE DELETE [AT] gmail.com

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Schedule a free no-obligation meeting with A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY for an experienced and qualified officiant who will create and perform your wedding ceremony, your way, today! All faiths, backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, tastes and preferences honored. Spiritual, traditional, simple or non-religious OK.

NEWS: Obtain a marriage license in NORTH Orange County!

Good news for those of you, who reside in Brea, Buena Park, Stanton, La Habra and especially Fullerton!

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder will officially open their North County Branch Office on Tuesday, 17 February 2009. Amongst handling many other functions, you will now be able to pick up your marriage license without having to go all the way down to the Old Courthouse in Santa Ana.

Schedule a free no-obligation meeting with A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY for an experienced and qualified officiant who will create and perform your wedding ceremony, your way, today! All faiths, backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, tastes and preferences honored. Spiritual, traditional, simple or non-religious OK.

Here is a map of all Southern California locations to obtain a marriage license. Please click on the map and drag to see other areas that are not visible:

View Larger Map

There was already another alternate location in Laguna Hills to serve South Orange County. Check the OC Clerk-Recorder for more information.

WEDDING: At Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach, CA

Congratulations, Jeanie and Eric!

This ceremony took place at one of my favourite venues in Orange County: SEVEN DEGREES.
Any time a proposal story is unusual and fun, it can be included in the text and told as part of the ceremony:

"The proposal was an interesting experience. Jeanie and Eric had been together for over three years, when they decided to take a trip to Hong Kong for Jeanie’s birthday. Prior to this, they had discussed the issue of marriage, but never really went into detail about it.

In Hong Kong, they eventually ended up in a jewelry store as part of a city tour. A
sales associate began showing them rings, and dropping hints to Eric about how
he should be looking for one. Eric appeared uninterested. Jeanie, being the beautiful emotional person she is, left the store in tears, feeling hurt and thinking Eric didn't want to ever consider marriage. Meanwhile, Eric chased Jeanie around the streets of Hong Kong, and then they finally returned to the hotel. As Jeanie sobbed about how Eric didn't want to marry her, he pulled out a ring from his suitcase and said, “I was going to wait until your birthday tomorrow to ask you, but now that you're going to be like this, I guess I'll ask you now.” He had already asked Jeanie’s mother for
permission, and so he got down on one knee and proposed!"

The bride wore a beautiful antique lace dress, and there were seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen. The groom is the guitar player in the local band PLASTIC PILL. Appropriately enough, the groom cake was in the shape of a sunburst Les Paul guitar! The Seven Degrees staff was first-rate, led by wedding director/coordinator Alyssa (Alissa?). Photography by Nicole Caldwell.

WEDDING: Beach Ceremony in Malibu, CA on New Year's Eve!

CONGRATULATIONS: Mandy and Aaron!

This couple, with about a dozen family and friends, drove all the way from Santa Clarita to be married on the beach at the ocean. i liked these two right away when we first met because of the playful way they interacted with each other, and the obvious way Aaron cared for Mandy, through his actions and simply the way he looks at her. And, the love they share just took over effortlessly, as the following excerpt from their ceremony shows:

"Once they became romantically involved, a unique and beautiful aspect of their
relationship was that there wasn’t really any more 'yours' or 'mine'. They knew they had found each other, and so, many things were a given and simply fell into place."

What a great way to welcome the New Year! Please see PHOTOS.