...and CONGRATULATIONS!
I must have said that about 60 times today because that's about how many couples I checked in to be married at City Hall. It was a lot of fun. I was at the first stop in the process for most couples. They were all very sweet and very nervous. I had to check ID and most of them would fumble around and end up dropping the contents of their wallets on the ground. One person even forgot her ID at home after she had been telling her partner that he better not forget his all morning! (They came back in an hour and a half, totally prepared, and said, "Well, if we can get through that - we can get through anything!")
Lots of couples who have obviously been together for years already. Many with two, three, or more kids! My check-in partner, Hannah, has only been in San Francisco for a month and was busy running around and taking lots of pictures. A professional photographer - Sonia Savio - hung out with us in between taking photos during the ceremonies of the happy couples.
It wasn't as crazy as I expected it to be. There weren't any crazy long lines in front of City Hall like there was in 2004. I mean, 60 or more couples in five hours is still a lot, but it wasn't a madhouse. It was very organized and (for lack of a better word...) graceful. There were volunteer musicians playing in the rotunda. Most people were dressed up - some even dressed as leather-bondage-futuristic-furries - and some were totally casual. There were no protesters, inside or outside, which is good. It was simply lovely. I wish I was going to be a "greeter" again, but it looks like I'm scheduled to be in the Recorder's Office next Wednesday instead.
Oh! And I got interviewed for some Cable Access show called "City In Focus". When it airs (probably next month) and my bit isn't cut out, I'll post it (or a link to it.) Yay!
Hannah and I are ready to check you in!
Lots of couples who have obviously been together for years already. Many with two, three, or more kids! My check-in partner, Hannah, has only been in San Francisco for a month and was busy running around and taking lots of pictures. A professional photographer - Sonia Savio - hung out with us in between taking photos during the ceremonies of the happy couples.
It wasn't as crazy as I expected it to be. There weren't any crazy long lines in front of City Hall like there was in 2004. I mean, 60 or more couples in five hours is still a lot, but it wasn't a madhouse. It was very organized and (for lack of a better word...) graceful. There were volunteer musicians playing in the rotunda. Most people were dressed up - some even dressed as leather-bondage-futuristic-furries - and some were totally casual. There were no protesters, inside or outside, which is good. It was simply lovely. I wish I was going to be a "greeter" again, but it looks like I'm scheduled to be in the Recorder's Office next Wednesday instead.
Oh! And I got interviewed for some Cable Access show called "City In Focus". When it airs (probably next month) and my bit isn't cut out, I'll post it (or a link to it.) Yay!
Hannah and I are ready to check you in!