Patricia Clarkson reenacts Perry v Schwarzenegger

Cameras were banned from the courtroom during testimony for Perry v Schwarzenegger, the lawsuit challenging the amendment to California's constitution banning gay marriages.  In the above clip actress Patricia Clarkson reenacts the testimony of Helen Zia.  Ms Zia married her wife Leah in the few months when gay marriage was legal in California.  Her testimony explains how the marriage made a difference in their lives. She, very touchingly, explains the difference between marriage and domestic partnership.

Motorino

After a long day at work, I met up with the Boy in the Checkered Shirt, my cousin from Ohio, and three of her friends for another great meal at Motorino. They dropped a great beer from their list, but I made do.

Chavella's Cafe Mexicano

After spending the afternoon at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Boy in the Checkered Shirt and I with our friend Julissa rode our bikes north into Prospect Heights and found this Mexican cafe. The squeezed us into a table in the corner beneath a wood heavy mirror. We ordered several small plates - tacos, quesadillas, beers, nachos and guacamole, corn on the cob.

Here Comes the Sun

Warm day. Spent it on our bikes. Visited the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens for the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. Many people came in costumes as anime and manga characters. Aftewards we had a late lunch at a little restaurant Prospect Heights that had a Beatles soundtrack thing going on.

Maggie Brown

In the morning the Boy in the Checkered Shirt and I got up early and rode our bikes down to the Brooklyn Navy Yard where CBS was auctioning off the remaining sets of the Guiding Light. We looked around the warehouse storing the numerous chairs, tables, light fixtures, baby carriages, a phone booth, park benches, even liturgical furnishings - the remaining stuff from the show's 60+ years of production in NYC (not to mention the 12 years in Chicago and LA). It was fun being in the Navy Yard, most of which is run down and falling apart. Knowing we weren't going to bid on anything, and famished, we opted to leave before the bidding started.

We got back on our bikes and headed south on Washington into Clinton Hill where we found this cute place. Their garden wasn't ready for summer yet, so we sat at a corner of the bar. We both ordered egg dishes and coffee. Then we got back on our bikes and continued down Washington to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Renaissance Diner

Went to MoMA with Fritz and Luswin and the Boy in the Checkered Shirt to see the Tim Burton and naked people exhibits.

After we took advantage of the warm weather and walked to the west side, discussing/arguing over where to eat. Giving up on a compromise we headed into this diner with a garden space in the back and and extensive menu. And beer. The Boy and Luswin ordered breakfast with coffee while Fritz and I ordered lunch with beer (Red Stripe).

After we continued down Ninth Avenue to Amy's Bread for some coffee. The Boy picked up a slice of German chocolate cake, the Jersey Boys selected some cinnamon twists, and I opted for an oatmeal scone. We then continued west, and walked along the Hudson River Greenway before parting ways around 23rd Street.

Bruce Springsteen "John Henry"

Worked (a little like John Henry) on my kitchen shelf.

Bus Stop Cafe

After a good workout with the Boy in the Checkered Shirt, we went for food at this West Village cafe. I ordered a chicken and goat cheese wrap, the Boy a grilled vegetable sandwich. We both had mesclun salads and water.

From there we met friends at the Eagle for a beer on their roof deck.

Northeast Kingdom

The Boy in the Checkered Shirt and I walked around a warehouse corner of the neighborhood looking at graffiti. Saw the artist working on a new wall and talked to him for a bit. Then routed ourselves to this brunch standard. I had the French toast with strawberries and plums with coffee. He had a mushroom omelet with orange juice. He ordered a cup of coffee to drink with his dry toast.

The Weekend

Warm weather, so we relaxed.