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A hairless cat.A hairless cat.

Damn. I just had the realization that I haven’t posted to this blog since January, and it’s June. Sigh.

This could be because I’ve become a much more active microblogger, these days. Facebook and Twitter are very distracting.

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Originally uploaded by evh711.

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Happy 2009! Today I’ve changed the title of the blog. We’re starting our third year in San Francisco. Wow, how time flies.

And, it’s 2009, the year I turn (gulp) 40. I honor of this momentous year, I’ve decided to actually articulate a few resolutions in order to help ensure that I stick to them.

1) Drop 12 Pounds. I’ve been hovering about ten pounds above where I want to be, and I gained a couple over the holidays, in spite of a bout of food poisoning just after Christmas. No matter, though; this year I will lose 12 pounds, and I hope to drop the bulk of it by the beginning of March. The plan is simple: As of tomorrow, back to Weight Watchers, back to counting points, even on the weekends, and regular exercise.

2) Upgrade my immune system. After catching every cold and sniffle that went through my office this year, I’m keen on taking steps to improve my immune system. I’m just really starting the research now, so I don’t have quite a good a plan as I do for the weight loss thing.

3) Don’t panic about the economy. Yes, it’s probably going to be a crap year, but simply being stressed out about it will do me no good. Smart, calm people make good money in bad economic times; I will do whatever I can to make lemonade out of lemons. I will plan to spend more carefully, try to save more, and, what’s more, I hope I can increase my charitable giving over the course of the year.

Here’s to the new year! Cheers, everyone!

“Hey, what sizes do you have this in?”

“We’ve got all sizes; large, extra-large, extra-extra-large …”

“Great! Do you have medium?”

“Oh, yeah, we’ve got all the sizes.”

(Pause)

“Okay, so, uh, could I have a medium one, then?”

“Oh, okay, sure.”

Sunset in Wailea – looking much better than in my phone picture from the last entry.

I’ve finally uploaded a few of our many pictures from Maui, from which we returned last week. A vacation was wonderful and much needed after having to handle the emotional fallout from the passage of Proposition 8.

Yes. Proposition 8 sucks. We went to a protest in the city that gave me a bit more energy about the whole issue (I’ve put some video up here) and I’m relieved to see that the courts have decided to take up the issue as well. I’m beginning to find my hope again.

Now it’s almost Thanksgiving, and I’m counting my blessings, which includes the blessing of another short work week. I’ll use some of that time to post more Maui pics.

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Originally uploaded by evh711.

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Sunset in Maui. Arrived this afternoon.Sunset in Maui. Arrived this afternoon.

Me voting, in particular. One of our neighbors was on the New York Times website and found a picture of us standing in line to vote at The Wash Place. I didn’t think to take pictures, but somebody else did! I’m looking down at a little dog named Benito Juarez.

I just got back from voting at The Wash Place, our local laundromat/polling place. I actually voted for a Presidential candidate who wasn’t a white guy! Wow!

Everybody has been talking about the lines. The polls opened at 7 a.m. and we arrived about 6:50 a.m.; there was a line but it was still relatively short. Within 10 minutes, though, it was out the door, and was still out the door when I left at about 8:30.

San Francisco has the longest ballot in the country, with 12 state propositions and 22 city/county props. We also voted for a bunch of offices, including district supervisor and school board. I didn’t vote early because I wasn’t totally prepared yet — we were still making calls this morning to get input on local candidates. But I think I made good decisions all around.

The lines were longer than normal — I don’t think I’ve ever had even one person standing in front of me to vote at The Wash Place — but there was a nice feeling of community in the line. People were chatting, sharing cheat sheets, talking about the neighborhood. Somebody went out and bought a big box of donuts for voters. We met four of our neighbors we hadn’t ever talked to before. They knew the bassets, but not us.

So, if you haven’t done it yet, go out and vote! In California, it’s critical to vote no on Proposition 8 (that’s the equal marriage ban) and Proposition 4 (that’s the one that would allow parents to sue doctors who perform abortions and thus limit access to women’s health care). Don’t hesitate; buy a box of donuts, go talk to your neighbors, and vote.

A view worth paying for.

A couple of weeks ago I traveled to Boston for a conference, and I think that I managed to muck up my spine a bit on the flight. I’ve been nursing a painful back ever since. It seems to be getting better now, but it’s made it a little difficult for me to get much exercise. So this weekend, in order to get things back on track, I did a slow and steady hike up to Twin Peaks from our house.

It was a great fitness walk; about five miles from our house to the Peaks and back, according to Gmaps Pedometer. I did make a wrong turn, zigging when I should have zagged, and ended up climbing to the top via some sort of dry wash rather than the easy-to-ascend stairs. However, once I was at the top, I could see the right way to get back down, so I didn’t make that mistake twice.

It was a great day for a hike up to Twin Peaks in that it was clear and nice, so the views were beautiful. If you remember my post about this from a while back, you’ll know that going up on day that’s not clear makes the whole thing a bit less exciting.

But of course, it was clear, and it was also hot. The Twin Peaks are pretty bare, and my route to the top was shade-free. By the time I got up to the observation point I was tired and sweaty, and in need of something cold and refreshing. I ended up buying a Gatorade from the guy with the catering truck who parks up there everyday. His hat told me he’s a McCain supporter, but I’m assuming the profits he made from my drink won’t allow the Republicans to win.