Friday, September 29, 2006

Exciting News!! Hot off the Press!

Same-sex couples from the state of Rhode Island can marry in Massachusetts!

In a communication this morning from Marc Solomon, Campaign Director for MassEquality:

This morning, Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly ruled that same-sex couples from Rhode Island can marry in Massachusetts.

Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a 1913 law used to stop same-sex couples outside Massachusetts marrying here could be applied only if a couple's home state expressly forbids same-sex marriage. While most states do expressly forbid same-sex couples from marrying, Judge Connolly ruled today that nothing in Rhode Island law "explicitly deems void or otherwise expressly forbids same-sex marriage". With this ruling, Rhode Island couples can now marry in Massachusetts.

This decision is significant as it means that same-sex couples from TWO states can legally marry.

You can read more about this at GLAD online.

And, if you live in Rhode Island and feel like celebrating tonight, Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) is hosting a party at Prospect Park in Providence tonight at 5 pm.
Countess Bedelia 9/29/2006 02:36:00 PM | 3 comments |

Thursday, September 28, 2006

What's the Buzz? Tell me what's happening....

Tonight The Countess went with Mr. Brian, Bennett and the Principessa to see Jesus Christ Superstar at our local music theater.

'Jesus' and 'Judas' are totally in love with each other. Judas only turned in Jesus to the local authorities because he was jealous of Mary Magdalene.

At the curtain call, Jesus and Judas proved my theory by hugging, kissing, and holding hands together throughout the whole standing ovation! Ah....young love.



King Herod was the high point of the production, IMO. Although there were many excellent voices, especially the actress playing Mary Magdalene, the King was camp before camp was a word. You can see by this picture that he was totally into the role!!







The Principessa insisted on having her picture taken with Mr. Brian and Bennett and so, she makes her photographic debut in the Countess' blog. You can see that she wears her crown on her shirt!

By the time that B & B and the Principessa had compared stories about the Countess, blackmail plans were starting to be passed around. Always on the alert for court intrigue, I knew it was time for the evening to come to an end!
Countess Bedelia 9/28/2006 11:38:00 PM | 2 comments |

Monday, September 25, 2006

This day in history, 1957


Special to The New York Times
President Eisenhower sent Federal troops to Little Rock, Ark., today to open the way for the admission of nine Negro pupils to Central High School………

Historic Decision
The President's decision to send troops to Little Rock was reached at his vacation headquarters in Newport, R.I. It was one of historic importance politically, socially, constitutionally. For the first time since the Reconstruction days that followed the Civil War, the Federal Government was using its ultimate power to compel equal treatment of the Negro in the South. ……..

This article is available on the New York Times website but you have to be a subscriber to access it.

Norman Rockwell's painting, "The Problem We All Live With", captured the feeling of the times.

We have come a long way in 50 years and we still have so far to go. Support the candidates who support equality when you vote in the November election.

Countess Bedelia 9/25/2006 12:31:00 PM | 1 comments |

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Massachusetts primary results

MassEquality, our local political organization that is fighting to keep gay marriage legal in Massachusetts, sent me this message after Tuesday's primary election:

"Earlier today Massachusetts voters turned out at polling places around the state and overwhelmingly cast ballots for pro-equality candidates.
While we at MassEquality were focused on legislative races, Deval Patrick's victory in Democratic Party primary election for governor marks a new and exciting era in Massachusetts politics. For the first time in our state's history, the gubernatorial candidate of a major party fully supports marriage equality. With fair-minded Worcester Mayor Tim Murray running beside him, Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for an all-star pro-equality team.

Eight incumbent pro-equality legislators faced opposition in today's balloting, and all were victorious. ..... Since the November 2003 Goodridge ruling, not one single pro-equality legislator has lost an election.

Today's balloting also featured twelve elections for open seats, nine of which are now held by retiring anti-equality legislators. Pro-equality candidates won Democratic primaries in eight of these twelve open seat elections."

Good news for our GLBT citizens in Massachusetts. And we are turning up the heat in New York through the Empire State Pride Agenda. Their annual dinner is in October. It is a major fundraiser for them. If you can attend, I will buy you a drink! New York has to be the next state to legalize gay marriage.

This joke I stole from one of my blogger buddies, Hoss (Old Horsetail Snake) was too good to pass up:

Laura Bush bought Dubya a parrot for George's birthday. You hear about that? She told Dick Cheney, "This bird is so smart! George has already taught him to mispronounce over 200 words.""Wow, that's impressive!" Cheney says. "But you realize that he just says the words. He doesn't understand what they mean.""That's okay," Laura replies. "Neither does the parrot."
Countess Bedelia 9/21/2006 04:19:00 PM | 3 comments |

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Rivoli Bar at the Ritz

I love the Ritz Hotel in London. It is like stepping back into another era. Soft jazz age music plays in the background. As you are ushered to your table by the hostess, a handsome waiter wearing a cream jacket brings hors-d'oeuvres in a silver tray, and of course they have the 18 year Glenlevit .

The ceiling shows the Art Deco influence in the decor. We made the Rivoli Bar our final stop while waiting for the car to take us to the airport and home. Traveling today is so stressful that we wanted this calming experience to remember while standing in the endless security, passport, and custom lines.

The Principessa ordered peach champagne and I had my usual. In England they call scotch "whiskey" and most bars or pubs serve a brand called Bells which is pretty bloody awful. It was wonderful to sink into the comfy chair and sip my favorite drink in such a cushy atmosphere.

The Ladies Powder Room is as beautiful as the rest of the place. Ice and mineral water is on a table in the corner and cloth towels are provided along with fragrant soaps and lotions. Although I must say that I was very impressed with the "facilities" in London; even the public ones were clean and tidy.

It was fun to see London again through my daughter's eyes. She loved the city as much as I do and we had a lovely time exploring some of the many wonders London has to offer.

Countess Bedelia 9/17/2006 12:37:00 PM | 5 comments |

Friday, September 15, 2006

The Countess reporting from London

Londoners seem to have a phallic symbol fixation. This building followed me around London everywhere I went. I found out it is the Swiss Bank building. Everyone I asked about it had a joke to tell.

I just had to touch it!

Then I found a chubby! This turned out to be London City Hall.

London City Hall even has balls!


So far London has been very interesting.
Countess Bedelia 9/15/2006 06:00:00 PM | 6 comments |

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Joining the Jet Set


Tomorrow morning I fly off to London in Merry Olde England. Here is Nelson atop his tower in Trafalgar Square.

Originally I was just going over to see Idina Menzel reprise her role of the Green Witch, Elphaba, in WICKED. As many times as I have seen this show, I never get tired of it. When I heard that Idina would be performing again in London, I knew I had to be there.

But when the Principessa heard I was going, she reminded me that she had never been to London. Poor baby, she has traveled all over Europe but never went to London. She has the whole trip planned to include most of the must see tourist destinations. She knows that if she throws a pub stop in here and there, Mama will follow along.

Another play we will be seeing is "Billy Elliot". This was a wonderful little film and then Elton John wrote the music for a stage play. It has been acclaimed as "the best British musical ever" and has been a hit for over a year now. So far there are no plans to bring it to Broadway, so if you want to see it, you must go to London.

I have been doing my homework about the new security regulations and they are very strict on international flights. The measurements for your single carryon bag are practically miniscule. But I did get a darling pink rolling computer case that will comply with the regulations and still look chic.

Cheerio for now, mates.
Countess Bedelia 9/07/2006 07:48:00 PM | 5 comments |

Monday, September 04, 2006

The Countess Convention in Newport


Mr. Brian and Bennett picked me up on Friday morning and we were off to Newport to attend the tailgate party at the polo match hosted by the Countess duBarry. The Countess royally welcomed us to our hotel with flowers and a gift bag of goodies. The occasion for our little reunion was none other than the miraculous visit by "the" Mrs. Astor, herself. She actually crossed the Causeway in Miami, got on an airplane, and came north after all these many years.

No visit to Newport by The Countess duBarry, The Countess Lady Astor, and The Countess Bedelia would be complete without visiting the home of the original Mrs. Astor. Here we are in the ballroom. Since it is not open to the public, duBarry uttered the magic word to the security guards and we were ushered in like the royalty that we are!

On Saturday we toured The Breakers and Marble House. Then it was off to the polo match and the incomparable hospitality of duBarry. You can see in this picture the elegant table she prepared with champagne and shrimp, all served on silver trays and crystal goblets. The beautiful flower arrangement was arranged by duBarry herself.


The polo match was between the USA team and England. It was a close game with the score going back and forth between the teams. The final outcome was USA 11 to England 10! I got to meet the teams and took this picture with Dan Keating, captain of the USA team and the England team members.
There were many other adventures over the past two days but seeing Mrs. Astor, spending time with Brian and Bennett, and enjoying the company of the fabulous duBarry all made for a weekend for the memory book.
Countess Bedelia 9/04/2006 12:56:00 PM | 5 comments |