Episcopal Church votes to accept more gays/lesbians. This is great news. The Episcopal Church of America, to which my diocese belongs, has been waffling for years over gays in church. They ordained a gay bishop (OMG HE"S GAY) a few years ago, which caused a rift to develop in the Church and led to several dioceses to split off from the mother church and establish their own. Naturally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Church of England (of which the Episcopal Church is a part), decided not to comment. One committee voted to start creating blessings made for same-sex marriages. While this isn't the BEST idea, (I would just change the vows to, "Do you take this ____") I think it's a good step in the right direction. Also, the House of Bishops voted to allow gay/lesbian bishops. So no more freaking out when gays want to become clergy.

These two things matter to me a great deal as I am both Episcopalian (Anglican) and gay (technically, I still think I'm bi, but I have no idea right now). I'm also planning to become a deacon, or possibly a priest, in the church in the future. I've become concerned lately that I might not be chosen to become ordained because of my sexual orientation. If the Church is making decisions that affect us all, then I don't have to worry so much. Also, it makes me feel good that I might have special prayers along with the main marriage ceremony when I do get married. I have never felt weird at my home church here in Houston, though. The clergy are incredibly accepting, and have actually preached sermons about tolerance and inclusion. Some of our most outstanding church members are gay couples. From day one, I never felt judged for being gay (by the clergy, and most of the members, at least). I love that, and hope that the Episcopal Church as a whole continues this policy of inclusion of all God's children. 

My godmother, who is the most staunchly Roman Catholic person I've ever met, upon hearing I had a girlfriend, said, "Well, God doesn't make mistakes." I love that idea, and wish more people would follow that message.

Endeavour is finally a go for launch. I'm relishing each of these, since there are only a very few left. I just finished watching the final poll of everyone to make sure everything is go. It is! Finally!! Kennedy launch director wished the crew a good and safe flight and I got a little verklempt. He said, "persistence pays off." Damn right. This is the 6th try to get this bird up. The first two were scrubbed because of the leak from the fuel tank. The last three have been weather-related. The weather cooperated today and the sky looks pretty over the Florida coast.

The countdown just restarted out of its hold, now at 6:45 to launch. The white room is retracting. I love the view from that camera as the arm swings away from the shuttle. You get a really nice view of the nearby area as it moves.

I LOVE NASA TV. In Austin, we didn't get it, but living in Houston, we get the channel. Really awesome to have on days like today. I know if I had had the channel as a kid, I would have been glued to the screen the whole day. Well, I did do that, but with CNN, since they usually took interest in the launches. But the cool thing about NASA TV is that you get to hear everyone talk to one another, on top of the guy (whose title I can't remember) who tells you what all is going on.

They're doing the engine gimbal test where they wave the nozzles back and forth. I always know that they're almost ready to go when they do that.

The beanie cap (the hood at the top of the external tank is now being withdrawn while the astronauts were just given the order to "close and lock visors" in preparation for launch. T - 1:30.

My heart's starting to beat a little faster, like I'm sure the hearts of the astronauts' are.

AUTO SEQUENCE START at T - :28.

Main engine start! LIFTOFF!!

Houston just took over.

Throttle down... Go at throttle up... whew. That hurdle is past.

God, the shuttle is pretty as it flies away.

Solid Rocket Booster separation. See you in the Indian Ocean!

The shot of the bottom of the shuttle from the camera mounted on the external fuel tank is one of the coolest views.

There's the roll to put the shuttle right-side "heads up" position. The view of the edge of the Earth as the shuttle spins around is soooo awesome.

They're flying over 12,000 miles per hour and are 65 miles above Earth. That's just NUTS.

Main engine cutoff and external tank separation. Watching the shuttle peel away as the external fuel tank drops away is so neat.

Knowing how far these guys have traveled in 10 minutes gives you some idea as to how fast they are going. Kinda like a rocket, or something. ; )

I always feel sorry for the mission specialists stuck on the mid deck. They get no windows, but all the shaking. At least 4 of them get a view outside during launch.

I always wonder how much the people being replaced on the International Space Station are annoyed when launch is delayed for whatever reason. I mean, there has to be some, "Oh, cool! I get to have more time in space!" while there probably is also some "God, I just want solid ground and real gravity again, dammit."

Okay! They're replaying the launch, so I guess everything is just fine, and I can take a nap without worry. I'm glad I set my alarm to wake me in case I fell asleep, otherwise I would have missed it. And, after watching the other 5 attempts fail, I was starting to worry.

I think I'm going to be keeping this icon around even once they retire the shuttle. The Constellation crew rocket, the Ares I-X, just looks stupid to me. See for yourself: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Size_Comparison.png I think what bothers me the most is that it looks so... unstable... being perched on only one SRB. I'm used to the short and hefty Shuttle. This tall lanky spacecraft thing is weird to me. At least the Ares V looks like it can actually go somewhere. Now, I realize what NASA's doing is going back to old ideas that worked safely and splendidly for a long time (and still work for satellite and other payload delivery), but it just doesn't have the style. Maybe in the future, when I take a ride on one of these things (yeah, right) I might feel differently. Until then, BLAH.