dabunny draws my attention to Slashdot: NYC considering requiring permits for public photography. I feel it's also worth mentioning Bostonist: MBTA changes policy on permits for amateur photography.

Permits for photography in public areas strike me as a dangerous and nearly unenforceable gambit. It seems like a good way to give yet another reason to police to harass people that they already dislike, for whatever reason. The previous MBTA policy was already basically unenforceable. My flickr account includes a couple dozen photos on the MBTA that were taken without a permit. The proposed NYC code would require photographers to carry $1M in liability insurance for any shoot taking a tripod and more than 15 minutes -- there's also a rule about a crew of more than 5 people, but I'm not sure what rules they would use to define "crew".

I'd urge any NYC residents to write the Mayor's Office of Film and Broadcasting (see Sean Reiser's blog for an example and contact info) with questions or concerns. There's an August 3rd deadline to comment.

NYT: "New York Plans to Make Gender Personal Choice." I'm dubious. I don't think it will take. I don't think a sex change is an "easy" way around same-sex marriage prohibition. With a two-year "living in role" requirement, that's longer than most relationships (gay or straight) seem to last.

Challenge to my friends: I have multiple Google alerts set up for transgender news. If you can send me a new, original story I haven't seen yet, I will mail you cookies. However, if you think I may have seen it, I probably already have. If you just want me to write about it, ask.

NYC considers allowing transfolk to change their birth certificates. Being able to change my birth certificate (and hence, my driver's license and my passport) was pivotal in my being able to live what I lovingly think of as a "normal life." Luckily, I was born in Massachusetts, which currently allows this. I had no idea that New York was one of the places that didn't.

Hello from Buffalo, NY

Well, I'm sending out last call for circus tickets in Boston. I have to put in my request before next weekend, so let me know when and if you want freebies.

My life this week:
On the way from Grand Rapids to here, [Peter] and I drove through Canada, and stopped through Toronto again, to revisit a Sushi place that we loved, and buy a backpack [Peter] had really wanted, but was only available in Canada.

I bought a pair of Doc Marten's boots this week, which I have been wanting since 1992, but could never justify spending $120 on boots before.

And yes, I tried the chicken wings in Buffalo, and they were pretty darn good, actually.

Quote for the week:
Customs Official at Canadian Border: "Reason for Visit"
Dan and [Peter]: "Lunch!" (Hey, that sushi place is really good, and was only about 120 mi out of our way)

Love you all