But who would do the pop culture reviews and who would write about books?

Congratulations!

Congratulations! That's fantastic news. Your betrothery will put the "it" in "erudition."

I have to admit, though, with this being Ish and all, I'll be waiting for Jim to explain the legal reasoning behind it.

Betrothery. That's a great word! Maybe I can use it in a sentence three times today, and make it mine?

Congrats to both of you!

I was trying to remember with Liz if we announced our engagement on Ish, and if not, how we let people know. Back in the olden days, it's hard to remember how we did things.... ;-)

David

First, congrats ! That sounds like great news.

I'd also like to ask a somewhat odd (and perhaps nosy question) so don't take offense -- Why ? Why choose to get married ?

(responding to David): Remember the telephone? That was so cool...

(responding to Chris and Emily): congratulations!!!! And congratulations on blogging your banns -- that's gotta be a first.

(not ready to respond to Ennis just yet, waiting a bit to formulate my thoughts)

Thanks, folks.

For the record, our initial release of this information was entirely phone-based. But then one of Emily's friends whom we'd called told a fellow blogger, and he got the blogging going.

As for Ennis...

Why ? Why choose to get married ?

Because if the institution is finally deemed acceptable by Jay Smith, then goddammit, it's good enough for me!

As for me, I need a new blender and this seemed the cheapest, if not the simplest, way to get one.

When did jay become pro (or at least accepting) of marriage. BTW I tried to post before with a pithy, yet unbelievably funny answer to the blog merging issue, referring to Virginia Woolf's quote concerning a "blog of her own". Too bad it is not timely anymore and can never be recaptured.
Congrats again!

I'm surprised it hasn’t come up yet, so I’m glad to be the first: Consider my new name suggestion to be Molowens, or as a backup, the Owlanphys. Fairly Rowling-esque, maybe too much so. (Then there’s always Phyow!, but it has to be written with the exclamation point.)

Congrats!

So, what kinds of synergies are you promising the Street given this merger of equals? Can we expect downsizing of CD and book collections as a result of economies of scale?

Patrick -- you must have missed the Smith/Moed "Agreement in principle" which was followed by a roadmap, negotiated by Norwegians.

Congrats again to the newly betrothed, and sorry if the question was irksome. I ask everyone these days.

Congratulations and good luck! Or, let me clarify: at my own wedding, someone told me it was customary to say congratulations to the groom and good luck to the bride, so congratulations and good luck, respectively...

So, what kinds of synergies are you promising the Street given this merger of equals? Can we expect downsizing of CD and book collections as a result of economies of scale?

You know, Cebra, I think I speak for both the Owens and Molanphy camps when I say this is a merger where 2 plus 2 equals 5. We bring together best-of-breed book and CD aggregation, coupled with a top-tier cultural assessment engine that produces unprecedented economies of scale: consolidated criticism, unparalleled access to arts-industry buzz, innovative shelving ideas. We're very excited about the strength of this franchise, and we think our shareholders will be, too.

[Owens and Molanphy shake hands in front of new "Owlanphy" logo; flashbulbs pop.]

you must have missed the Smith/Moed "Agreement in principle" which was followed by a roadmap, negotiated by Norwegians.

Thanks, Ennis. It occurred to me after I posted that I might be "outing" Jay, which is something I detest in principle. But now he can come out as a groom-to-be in a supportive envirnoment.

Congrats again to the newly betrothed, and sorry if the question was irksome.

Hey, it wouldn't be Ish if we didn't get philosophical! Truthfully, the answer to your question is, it just felt right. :)

Jay,

Liz and I congratulate you on your "outing" want to be really supportive for you!!!

BTW, does Andrea know?

David

Chris,

The first time I got married was in 1984. Nonetheless, 2+2 did not = 5 for me. Orwell did not end well, and 2+2 barely equaled pi. ;-)

I sincerely hope and wish all the best for the two of you. And I'm certain that your "best of breed" will have the finest book and cd aggregation imaginable! ;-)

David

Double-Wedding ! Efficiencies of scale ! Wacky reality TV show like disputes between the participants !

Yes, David, I was in on it--even before the Norwegians entered the picture! For the record, here's our official statement:

We'd like to share a little story with you all, about media, the social nature of truth, and how to look like a couple of complete idiots while trying to announce an impending life cycle event to dear and widely dispersed friends.

Some time ago we heard that a few of our friends suspected there was something going on between the two of us, you know, that we'd "gotten serious." Perhaps we'd let slip a few telltale signals: exchanging tender, yearning glances across a room; frequently attending social functions together; cohabiting since 1996.

In fact, it was true. In recent months we had decided to get married, and the time had arrived to announce it in an official, us-to-y'all sort of way.

Did we do this? We did not. We pondered, blundered, typed up a couple of drafts and equivocated while casually telling the folks we happened to see or talk to. Then, when we had clearly taken far too long about it, we were outed right here on our beloved Ish.

So, in what is now a downright pathetic attempt to re-claim the news cycle and the good graces of those we meant to tell sooner, here's the story:
We love each other an awful lot, we plan to be together for the rest of our lives, and next summer we intend to declare these things to New York State and to people we love.

We're very thrilled about it. And we hope that, once you're through giggling at us, you'll be too.

Oh, come now, Andrea. You have posting privileges. Don't hide your light under a bushel! Post your announcment! (Oh, and congrats, even though I told y'all in person, but now it's all official and in print and stuff.)

Wacky reality TV show like disputes between the participants !

One of my cable-having friends just told me about a show on TLC where your friends and family have a week and $5000 to plan your wedding. You show up having no idea what you'll be wearing, etc. She said the results were sometimes good, sometimes terrible, and emphasized the importance of choosing the cadre of friends and family carefully. Given the high prevalence of pranksters (including the friend who told me this) among our friends, I think I should avoid being suckered in by the apparent thrift and simplicity of this plan.

Congratulations!!!! To Chris, Emily, Andrea, and Jay! What a treat to have so much great news all on one day. We're so happy for all of you.

Much love,
Alex and Sarah

Chris & Emily:
Congratulations. I kept looking at Emily's fingers for evidence of a birthday betrothal on Friday night. I'm glad I was simply a few days too early. I hope we can celebrate together in person soon.

Hi Jessie,

I tried to post this before but it got eaten...

When we were talking about Philly on Friday night, I kept thinking, 'oh, perhaps one day I will furnish Jessie and Mike with a reason to visit!' I just had no idea it would be so soon!

My actual birthday was on Sunday, so I guess you and my friend Stacey had the right idea but the wrong date. :)

E.

Wow! That'll teach me not to check Ish each and every day - I'll miss weddings.

Belated congrats on your upcoming blender!

And speaking of bender, when is the double bachelor party! Wooo-we! Oops, Jimpy said "blender". Oh well.

Speaking of Bender: we're on the last 2 episodes of Futurama. How sad !