Equality Califiornia

Hi everyone,
I recently found out that our registry at Equality California expired last year of all the silly things. I set up a new one if you wish to still make a donation.
That's all for now.

Save the Date

Who: Jim & Kayte, family & friends

What: Our wedding and reception

Where: Peterson Grove, Sanborn Park, Saratoga, CA

When: Saturday August 1, 2009
2:45pm-7:45pm

Map & Directions

In case you wanted to know how to actually get to the wedding, click HERE
or go to http://www.weddingmapper.com, click on Find a Wedding Map.

You can see an area map, get directions to the wedding, my apartment, the Wild Palms hotel (where yoga is), and see our suggestions for food and entertainment in the area.

What should I wear?

Our wedding attire is a strict no-tie dress code.
Seriously, it's August in California and we're going to make you be outside all afternoon. And then we're going to encourage you to dance...and eat Indian food.
Wear something you're comfortable in, and if it looks good to0 - we'll consider that a bonus.

Wedding Morning Yoga

Kayte & Jim wanted to start their wedding day by doing something to make them feel grounded, relaxed, focused, and energized for the day ahead. What better than an hour long vinyasa yoga class, led by one of Kayte's favorite teachers?
Join the bride and groom at 9:30am on to help get their wedding day off to the right start!

Time: Saturday 8/1 9:30-10:30am
Location: Wild Palms Hotel, Cobalt Room
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, and bring a yoga mat if you have one. If not, let Kayte or Jim know, and we'll find one for you.

No previous yoga experience necessary, class is geared for all levels, and will have an emphasis on following your breathe.

Please let Kayte or Jim know if you'd like to join us!

Where To Stay

We've reserved a block of rooms at the Wild Palms Hotel for our out of town guests. It's a really nice hotel, convenient to the wedding, airport, and whatever else you might want to do in the Silicon Valley. The block is reserved for the weekend, but if you plan to stay a few extra days, you should be able to reserve extra nights at the same rate.

Rates:

• $65/night for Deluxe room with 1 queen bed
• $75/night for a Deluxe room with 2 double beds
• $85/night for a Executive room with 1 king bed
• $100/night for a 1 bedroom suite with king bed in bedroom, and pull out couch in living room

Call 1-800-538-1600 for reservations, and reference group code: Kayte Haegele Wedding

Where We're Registered

Jim and Kayte have created 4 wedding registries:

• Equality California
  In lieu of a gift, we ask that you consider joining with us in fighting to overturn Prop. 8, and restore marriage equality for all Californians. Our wedding registry page can be accessed here.
• Williams Sonoma, registry page click here
  
• Bed Bath & Beyond, registry page click here
  
• Target, registry page click here
  

How Jim Grew a Pair

Hi everybody! I’m Dr. Jim, and I’m here today to tell you the story entitled “How Jim Grew a Pair” aka “How Jim Asked Kayte to Marry Him!”

This story began a little bit after the Good Ol’ Days. It begins in January of 2008. The Good Ol’ Days, as historians know it, ended on June 27^th 2006. That was the fateful day when Pop Star Axl Rose was arrested in Stockholm Sweden, for biting a security guard on the leg. The Event, as it is now known, ushered in a new era known by historians as The Not-Quite-as-Good Newer Days.

In January of 2008 an amazing thing happened to our hero. He noticed a great metaphorical bulging in the front of his pants. He had courage. He knew what he must do. But when? Where? How? Not to mention the two other potential questions.

Jim consulted the stars, and he noticed that he was in fact a Gemini. He was born on June 10^th. “Gemini…June…” Jim thought. What happens in June? “I was born!” Jim stated out loud triumphantly. Then he remembered the what he was dealing with. What else happens in June? The answer my friends? Bluegrass in Telluride! Suddenly the clouds gave way, and a brilliant warm light shone down on Jim’s face. This was especially odd since he was indoors at the time. Jim would propose to Kayte in Telluride!

The next problem slapped Jim in the face like a sea bass. Kayte needed some bling. Jim checked his pockets and noticed he was bereft of any smackolas. What would he do? Suddenly a majestic figure strode into view. He was tall handsome, and had an aura of “I can fix your problems” surrounding him.

“Hey dad” Jim said.

“Hey son, I understand you need some bling to give Kayte,” replied the figure.

“Yeah that’d be cool.”

“I have just the thing son.” The figure reached into his pocket and dropped something into Jim’s hand. “I gave that to your mom a couple of Christmas’ ago. I think you should give that to Kayte.”

“OK dad. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome son.”

Jim had the place and the time. He had the bling. Now all he had to do was wait.

TIME PASSES

June came. And so did Telluride. Kayte and Jim had already decided to go on a hike up to the waterfall. So, this was when Jim knew he must strike. Jim and Kayte started hiking up the long long trail. Somehow it was harder than Jim remembered before, and took longer. Time passed, and Jim’s heart fluttered with each step. Kayte didn’t notice.

They finally reached the top of the trail, and got to the waterfall. The mist formed by the water hitting against rocks was amazingly refreshing and our two heroes decided to sit and relax a bit. Jim waited until he could stand it no more, and got down on one knee. Jim asked her to marry him, and Kayte started crying and muttered something garbled. Jim hoped her response was yes, but decided to let her calm down again before asking her to repeat herself. It turned out that she did in fact say yes. There was much hugging and kissing. People who happened to be near us and overheard asked if they could take our picture, and we said yes of course. Kayte and Jim were engaged, and they would live happily ever after.

The end.

Editors note: Kayte would have you notice that there are several months between January and June. Months filled with neuroses, head scratching, confusion, frustration and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

How Kayte Seduced aka asked out Jim

Hiya everybody! I’m Dr. Jim, and I’m here today to tell you the story of how Kayte finally got over her fears, quit stalking Jim, aka me, and decided to tell Jim that she had a huge crush on him! Doesn’t that sound fun? Yeah! I thought so too.

It all started back in the good ol’ days, back in the spring of 2004. Jim, whom we will from here on know as “Jim,” and Kayte, whom we will from here on know as “Kayte,” were in Wind Ensemble and Orchestra together. Kayte being the incredibly intelligent women with great taste that she is immediately noticed Jim and his hotness. Several months passed without much ado other than Jim saying “hi” to Kayte in the halls from time to time. Kayte’s heart fluttered with each moment spent with Jim. Jim didn’t notice.

The semester ended, and the summer passed. Fall semester started and Kayte was distressed when she realized Jim had wizened up, and did not sign up for orchestra that semester. It took Kayte awhile to get up the courage, and a whole semester passed. Finally in January 2005, thanks to the nagging of Nicole and Vasily, she decided to tell Jim what an amazing man he was, and that she wanted his babies (Fortunately she did not tell Jim the babies part just yet).

Kayte noticed that Jim had signed up for practice time in one of the UCSC music department practice rooms the next day, so she schemed and came up with a plan. She would corner Jim, and force herself upon him! Or, the plan might have been that she was going to ask Jim out. I’ll let you decide which is more truthful.

Jim, unfortunately didn’t get the memo that he should be in said practice room, and decided to skip said practice time. Kayte showed up at the allotted time, but Jim did not. Kayte was disappointed but undaunted! For Jim had another time two days from then that he would be in the same practice room…maybe.

Kayte showed up again at his scheduled practice time, and Jim was there! Hooray! The following dialog is a factual transcription of their conversation.

Scene 1: UCSC practice room, day

Door opens, and Jim turns around to see who in fact opened said door.

Kayte: Uh…Hi Jim.

Jim: Hey Kayte, what’s up?

Kayte: Uh…I just wanted to tell you...tell you that I have a huge crush on you.

Jim sits there looking confused and tries to think of anything to say: Oh!

Time Passes

Kayte: Well…uh…I just thought you should know! I’m going to go practice now. Bye!

Jim sits there looking confused and tries to think of anything to say: Ok!

Kayte: Exit. Stage left (aka the practice room door)

It took Jim about a minute to recover his wits, and make his move. He followed Kayte out the door and into her practice room, and shortly there after asked her out. She said yes, and everything was hunky-dory.

Well, everybody, that was the story of how Jim and Kayte first started going out. I hope you enjoyed it. This is Dr. Jim saying farewell, and as I always say, Don’t let the door hit ya where the Flying Spaghetti Monster split ya. Goodnight.

Wedding VIPs

Sean the Groomsmen

Sean and Jim went to high school together, and lived in Santa Cruz together. Now they both live on the peninsula and play hours of Smashbrothers together.














Josh the Groomsman

Jim and Josh also went to high school together. Now that Josh lives in Alabama they play games online together, and meet in Texas to go to waterslide parks.












Vasily the Groomsman

Vasily went to Santa Cruz with Jim and Kayte, and somehow managed to live with them in Palo Alto for two years without going completely crazy. Vasily is simply awesome.














Erin the Bridesmaid

Erin met Kayte and Jim last summer through Team in Training. Together they trained and ran the 2007 Portland Marathon. Since then they have enjoyed cooking, eating and watching movies together. They no longer run.












Lauren the Bridesmaid

Lauren and Kayte have known each other since middle school, and have been close friends despite never living in the same state. Kayte's thankful her wedding gives Lauren an excuse to visit her in California again, even though it's her turn to fly to Lauren's house in Vermont.



Rochelle the Bridesmaid

Rochelle and Kayte have known each other since they suffered through 7th grade PE together (there's a bit of a theme here). They were friends all through school, and even went to college together for a while. They now live on opposite sides of the Bay and have a shared love of dance, bad TV, theater and gossip.







Christina, Barb, Jim and Zana
Jim's Family

Kayte and Jim are excited to celebrate their wedding with family. Jim (the elder) will also be officiating the wedding.








Ron and Lila
Kayte's Family

Kayte and Jim are excited to share their wedding with family.

Pictures of the cute couple