It's still good. But it's not. Yesterday was a nearly perfect day (minus a feeding snafu with some pets). Gorgeous morning in Elysian Park, with clear skies and low clouds over the foothills. Voting went swiftly at about 10 a.m., though it was sad not to see Albert working the polls. I waited in line for the first time in California to vote, but it wasn't long. People were in high spirits. A journalism student recognized me via my dog, Rosie, whose picture you see above. Unfortunately, Rosie was not allowed onto the school campus and had to stay on the sidewalk tied to a pole. Last election she went with me to the voting booth. A poll worker asked my friend Paul to remove the Obama button from his clothing. Elections officials were anxious that everything go absolutely right. Mostly everyone on line was talking. The new cafe just around the corner, Fix, was offering free coffee to anyone who had voted, then it was said not to be doing so because, people said, it was illegal to "pay" to vote. Later in the day I heard that this was not true -- that it's okay to give a away a cup of coffee after the fact.

The day crept along till five when I started watching returns at a friend's, at which point it became a steadily mounting celebration. Coming home at 10 p.m. with a very tired daughter, we passed a small group of swells banging pots and pans in front of Prado on Sunset Boulevard.... I went to bed in a country that was better than it had been just a few hours earlier.

Then, this morning, I woke to find myself still living in a better country. But I was not living in a better state of California. Last time I checked, Prop 8 was still expected to pass. The fact that it is even close to passing is sad and enraging, and I'll (almost) leave it at that. Somehow people found it in their hearts to pass Prop 2 for the chickens (YAY!), even though it will cost the voters money. But they couldn't allow marriages between people they don't even know, even though it would cost them nothing. The only way my brain can wrap around this is to think that the people who voted for Prop 8 skipped over Prop 2, and maybe vice-versa.

So this morning, in California, chickens have expanded rights, which is great. And my friends whose anatomical parts aren't just right for the supporters of Prop Hate -- these friends have lost their rights.

Perhaps the courts can set things on a better course. Howard Mintz of the San Jose Mercury News reported this morning that civil rights groups already have filed a petition with the State Supreme Court challenging the measure. (Remember Prop 187? Maybe the two "propositions" can share the same garbage can.)

Putting aside Prop Hate for a moment, there is true cause for celebration, and I have received invitations to a lovely sounding parade this evening.

Mary-Austin Klein and Jonathan Tobin wrote to let me know about the "Obama Ye Old Timey Patriotic Parade":

A patriotic parade down Sunset Blvd tonight, from Echo Park Lake to Silverlake. We should meet at the top of Echo Park Lake, where the lotus flowers once grew. The theme will be old-timey- feel free to go with your own interpretation. We want to play old patriotic music. I saw some people marching down Sunset with pots and pans last night, and that seemed good for making a commotion. Patriotism is fashionable again, so let's have a parade!

This event is planned to start at 7:30 pm on Nov 5, 2008 at Echo Park Lake- northwest corner.