Here’s what I’ve decided: If I don’t just start to write, in the middle, towards the end or even just make something up you’ll never hear from me again. My hang up, this whole time, after a few weeks went by from post to post, was where do I start now?
This weekend I spent a lot of time with an old friend who I hadn’t seen or talked to in several months and we just picked right up with, “As I was saying…” as if less than 5 minutes had passed since the last person spoke.
And then I thought to myself, I can do this. I can do this on my blog.
So, as I was saying…
Let me start towards the end, and see where we go. I’ll use the greg-bullet style to get things rolling (hold on tight folks, the margins are going to be a wonky mess and all over the place! And I don’t know how, have time, or care to learn, to fix any of that.)
- Most recently, as in 5 minutes ago, I submitted the “ok” to an editor who is putting the final touches together for a story of mine that will be publish sometime this summer. When I have permission to talk about the book (a compilation of essays by different authors), I will of course, let you know more about it, where to find it, etc. I’ve never been officially “published” before so, this is rather exciting.
Speaking of exciting, I’ve got news. News that makes me feel light headed and nervous even as I type. But I’ll wait a second and mention this little bite first:
- Violet and I were in San Fransisco in May and we both really liked it there. It is a gorgeous city. I did some research and the sun shines there 100 more days a year than here. The people were really nice, in this way that weirded both Violet and me out. Like, we would walk by someone and they’d be all, “Hi.” And we’d be thinking, “why in the world are you acknowledging our existence, you freak!?” But we’d just shoot this look of confusion as we returned the hello. We both began to realize the we have been overly Seattle-ized and that a lot of places in this country aren’t like here. Seattle is great and has been very good to us for a long time now. But, in general, it is overly behaved and passive in a way that can be very isolating in a way that you forget to notice. After you are done being constantly offended by the lack of real interaction with people you don’t know you just sort of get used to it – that is, until you go somewhere else and are reminded that humans do talk to people they don’t know and for no other reason sometimes but that they are both in the same place at the same time. It’s an awesome concept and I miss it. A lot. So, we both applied for jobs there and just when we decided we didn’t even make the form-letter “thanks but no thanks” email I got a call and have been asked to interview in a few weeks. Obviously, this is to be continued.
Ok, you skipped to this part of the post anyway, so here you go:
(this is the shortest version of anything you’ll ever get from me, ever.)
- Two weeks ago Violet and I spent a week in San Diego. One morning we were sitting on a gorgeous beach in La Jolla. The sun was shining, the waves were rolling up to tickle our toes when she told me she loved me. I put my arm around her as I stared at the ocean and then she pulled a ring out of her pocket and asked me to marry her. I said I would think about it and get back to her within 3 to 5 business days.
Actually, I smiled and kissed her, watched her put a really sweet and delicate gold band on my finger and told her nothing in the world sounded like a better idea.
I knew she was going to propose. We both knew. We’ve talked about it a lot and for quite a while, but that has nothing more or less to give or take from one of the better moments I’ve ever had. I have a book I could write at this point, on all of the things around marriage that Violet and I have talked about and I’ll put some of that out here later. We have very particular and intentional reasons for exactly why we are engaged, exactly why we will get married and several ideas brewing as to how we will marry. They are lovely and profoundly important and intimate reasons and they all make me blush and they all make me even more excited to move in this way, forward, if you will, with my best friend. And what ever pieces I can brave to let out, set free, I will write about here. Later.
- In more general-life upkeep news, the Seal is still the raddest dog ever. Marcus has been rather elusive but her big fat babies are out and about, causing trouble and knocking our garbage and compost down and all over. Last week Violet and I bought 25 little baby gold fish that are now zig zagging around our pond, playing fish games by day and hiding from Marcus’ babies at night. So far I haven’t really made any new fish friends but they seem happy and I look forward to naps in the yard next to them.
So, I’ll leave things here for now. This is a start. A start to the middle of it all.
More to come.



21 comments
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June 22, 2011 at 12:18 pm
wolfegirl
Eeeee!! Combined with my excitement at the maybe-marriage equality happening here in NY, this news makes me very very giddy. My partner + I have been talking about marriage more and more, too, so I would love to hear any and all thoughts y’all have on the matter. Especially because last time I married, it was to a man, and didn’t spend much, if any, time really thinking about it.
So exciting. And the moving-to-a-friendlier-place thing, too. Happy for you, even though I’ve never met you!
June 22, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Andrea
The femme did the proposing, I like that. I like it a lot.
June 22, 2011 at 12:38 pm
ladybrettashley
awesome!
June 22, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Blazer
Dude, you’re back!!! It appears you have been holding out on us. Very exciting news all the way around. Congratulations to both you and Violet! Look forward to hearing more very soon. (I have missed you by the way.)
June 22, 2011 at 12:53 pm
jesse james
Thanks, buddy. I’ve missed you too (awe and barf, but I have.)
June 22, 2011 at 12:49 pm
e
Beginning, middle or end, who cares?! Jesse is back! Whee!!!!
Super awesome news about you and Violet! I hope you’ll keep us posted about it all ~ love the picture of your ringed hand.
re: San Francisco, look for something in the Mission or Noe Valley (if you can afford it) and stay the hell out of the Sunset. It’s like two different cities, weather-wise.
Oh, also, huge congrats about the publishing thing! Woot! I will happily purchase whatever the hell it is.
June 22, 2011 at 12:54 pm
jesse james
You are awesome, e. Thanks for the advice. I will keep you posted on the book. And thanks for the email the other day – was the final needed push to get a post out there.
June 22, 2011 at 1:42 pm
euphonix
Congratulations on all accounts!
^_^
June 22, 2011 at 9:42 pm
femmeismygender
JJ! such happy news, oh be happy. Be very, very happy. fimg x
June 23, 2011 at 4:54 am
greg
This post is sweeter than strawberry jam topped with powdered sugar and marshmallows (mmm)!!!! I can’t say congratulations enough…for the possible move, FOR THE BOOK (I cannot wait to read it!) and for the engagement (way to go, Violet!!)!!! That ring looks so right on you.
xoxoxoxo
June 23, 2011 at 11:13 pm
jesse james
Now I’m just hungry. I like my ring a lot. A lot a lot. And seriously, I totally second you on the way to go (finally) Violet front! Brilliant idea if I may say so…
Thanks, sweet gregory.
June 23, 2011 at 12:39 pm
FG
this whole post is unbelieveably awesome. in fact i feel inspired to update my blog too…soon. but first, so many congrats to you and violet. i have lots of thoughts about marriage too (having done it myself) and i’m looking forward to hearing yours. also congrats on your interview — san francisco is beautiful. big hugs all round!
June 23, 2011 at 11:15 pm
jesse james
Update! I want an update! And yes, let’s talk marriage. It is a very present theme (obviously) and I would love to talk about this with you.
June 23, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Link Love for June 23 | Butchtastic
[...] OMG Finally a New Post! Department, Jesse James broke radio silence on her blog the other day to announce her engagement to Violet, her long time leading lady. Congratulations, Jesse and Violet. Also, getting published for the [...]
June 23, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Kyle
very glad to hear from you, you’re in my Link Love post because I miss you so much.
* getting published: that is so cool. My goal was to get something published this year and it’s happened twice and I’m going for more. It’s a great accomplishment.
* getting engaged: wow, I’m such a romantic, I teared up a bit. I want to get engaged, over and over again. Those moments are beautiful. You two are a great couple and I wish you all the best.
* moving: yeah yeah, more sunshine, can’t handle the rain, blah blah blah. I don’t know about the Seattle area, but in smaller cities, it still feels pretty friendly and close. Hope things work out the way you want them too in the Bay Area. It is one of my favorite places, home to one of my very favorite people.
* posting after a long absence: yes, sometimes you just have to leap in, ignore the gap for the most part, and move on. Good to hear things are going so well.
June 26, 2011 at 8:40 pm
ash-a-frash
firstly, congratulations jesse and violet on your engagement! so exciting!! secondly, i’m really glad you’re back online.
sounds like you’ve had some great experiences. thirdly, YAY for getting published. that’s so awesome and i will definitely buy whatever it is you’re published in. and finally, san francisco is is probably the best most beautiful city in the world; and its combination sunshine and fog is unparalleled. i second e’s suggestion about the mission district – it’s sunny and cute and there’re lots of public transit routes. totally your style, i think. plus, you can’t beat summer in the city (even if it can be a tad more foggy than other areas. there’s a mark twain quote you’ve probably heard: “the coldest winter i ever knew was the summer i spent in san francisco.” hehe). nevertheless, northern california can’t be beat for great weather, friendly people, and cool places to explore. but i grew up here, so i might be a bit biased… anyways, congrats on everything! i hope you get the job here.
June 26, 2011 at 8:44 pm
ash-a-frash
hm, you know, i was thinking… if you decide not to live IN the city, there are alot of great places in the east bay which are close enough to SF that you can easily commute: berkeley; oakland; walnut creek; lafayette/moraga/orinda. you know, in case you needed any suggestions.
June 29, 2011 at 9:47 am
jul
Congrats! I have no clue who you are, but I saw you on GREG’s blog and thought I would check it out. Best of luck!
June 30, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Deborah
As my people say, Mazal Tov!! Looking forward to hearing about all the plans. I love a good wedding.
August 13, 2011 at 6:33 am
saintchick10
I missed reading you,and this was the best one to pick to read.
Congrats !
August 30, 2011 at 2:32 pm
alphafemme
So is SF happening??? And, I love this post
congratulations, etc.