old vs. new

I'm not in the same boat as this guy, but I see both sides. Long ago I realized that I had an advantage over the present MySpace crowd. I was older, and I understood the cultural, technical, and consumeristic phenomenons that produced such massive networks of users (my space, WoW, flickr, technorati) but I wasn't a thriving, blogging idiot. Then I became one. I bought $my name.com, I joined slashdot, and post frequently. I moved up to moderator on a board where my professional exams are discussed, and finally, I started this stupid journal.

Well, it's good to share, but there is something about it where we aren't keeping anything to ourselves any more. This is fantastic when we want to gripe about our cell phone contracts, share a tidbit about how to fix my DVD player, get the episode of the Sopranos that I missed, or find a job. But, don't we need a middleman sometimes? We are specialized people, and I want my wedding to be individual. If I could afford it, I would hand it over to a professional. I don't want to download the weddingMaker flash applet and let them fill in the blanks. It's not how I want social networking to affect me. My job is to assist owners of homes with renovations, but in more and more cases, the client comes in with a computer model of their own. This used to be the clear qualification, if one were to draw a constructable building, they needed to be able to operate the software.

Well, it is really only a matter of time before there is a virtual architect that does it for you. We send more and more faxes (yes, the paper kind) directly to the client for approval. It is likely that they are able to understand what they are looking at, and capable of responding. It's not that my job doesn't pay, it's that it is no longer respected/appreciated/revered/delegated to, or whatever word you want to hear.

Oh, and there are more architects every day. Older professionals aren't used to giving way to others knowledgeable about the craft, but we aren't really different than doctors who won't transfer a chart or lawyer who shreds important documents before a trial.

I am concerned that the social network that takes advantage of sharing information (effectively turning every transaction into a us and them) has the ability to reinvent the profession into a consultant role, tapping into knowledge rather than our current state of document-tender. Perhaps this is a better system, maybe not. Can you live with it?

wedding(s)

So, it's been on the mind. There was a 2002 discussion about my situation at the Disney forum board chronicle the policy they have towards Catholic weddings. I would never want a ceremony on the shores of a styrofoam lake, but the point is taken. The diocese can do whatever they want. But in this case, they are heading it off:

Often times a priest can be found who will participate in this type of wedding in a non-church setting. In most cases, there is some flexibility but in the case of WDW and Las Vegas actual rules have been established.

I don't know about one at Mohonk, but I'd bet that it is similar in the eyes of the church. It's a destination, albeit a spiritual, secular one. The incentive for me is not my attraction to the place, but Emily's. It is only the place that she has dreamt about since she was a little girl. That is some tradition and motive, and I really want her to be happy. So, with the extent of my expectations combined with my conservative upbringing, I have a crisis.

The solution just may be to have a small Catholic ceremony followed by the real one at the destination. I hope this does not relegate the second one to second-best, and that will be a struggle. At this juncture, though, I can't find an alternative that will please everyone, or anyone.
From brides.com:

Because of logistics, we're having two weddings. Our parents will be the only witnesses at the first one; the second will be more like a traditional wedding, with a big guest list and a reception. I'm afraid people won't show up for the second one if they find out it's not a "real" wedding, but my fiancé's mom and dad are really pushing for us to go public with the news. What should we do?

While you shouldn't mislead your guests, you also aren't compelled to take out a full-page ad in your local paper. Your in-laws can tell whomever they like; you don't have to make a peep (but if somebody calls to get the whole story, you'd better come clean).

To ensure that everyone who attends the large celebration knows what lies in store, word the invitation as a vow renewal. (Your stationer or an etiquette book will have examples.) And don't worry—friends and family are sure to understand the circumstances and will be glad to celebrate with you whenever they're invited.

So, bring on the double wedding. Twice the fun!