I meant to post this last week, and obviously failed. So here it is now: an issue of The Escapist dedicated to the generation that grew up on video games, and the kids they have today. If you’re in my age bracket or know someone who is, a fine read this week… which was actually last week.
Back from Cameron County, PA, and still alive. It was pointed out to me that I spend 6/365ths of my life in Emporium. That fact disturbs me. That’s dangerously close to two percent.
This year, I did not join in with the skeet-shooting fun, as the temperature barely scraped 20 on Saturday. It was wactually warmer at 11PM than it was at 1PM. Insanity.
I got some reading in, though, and didn’t feel the urge to hit people or anything. Spending a fair amount of time with my brother-in-law and his wife (who are probably the most similar to us among the family members) was a relief in a great many aspects.
So… until Memorial Day weekend… happy trails to Emporium. 
Did you know that the first diaper I ever changed in my life was yours, in the hospital just after you were born? It was among many firsts I’ve come to know with you in my life.
You were the first girl who I loved more than my wife. And that’s saying something.
You’re the reason we went to our first Black Friday sale. You had us up at 4AM anyway, so we figured, what the heck?
My first experience with cheerleaders came with you.
My first taste of childhood since I was a child myself, I owe to you.
Welcome to the end of year six, and the start of year seven. May you continue to grow as I know you are able, and may I never cease to wonder or feel pride in you.
Emma got $25 from my grandparents for her birthday. It came Friday in a card (as did a similar gift for me), and tonight Emma got to spend it. To Toys’R'Us we went, and Emma looked at everything.
In the first five minutes, she had three things she definitely wanted to use her money for, definitely. The number was up to about eight or so by the end of the trip. In the end, though, she chose something for which she had been pining for about a month or so; a Doodle Glow Bear (this one happened to be named “Artie”).
She’s quite pleased with herself, as am I; she looked over everything and went with her head instead of whatever the cool thing was right in front of her face. Good for Emma.
I got two gifts for my birthday from my (immediate, household) family. I have a eight-person poker tabletop and a set of chips (with cards). If you’re Mike Winters, it’s the same tabletop we got you for your wedding. If you’re not Mike Winters, ask him all about it.
So now, when you come over, expect to ante up.
Today marks the 27th anniversary of my birth.
I don’t know what (if anything) that means. Nor am I quite certain when birthdays stopped being a remarkable event. Aside from some well-wishes here and there and this blog post, there’s not a whole lot going on for today. Celebration-wise, there’s a family dinner planned for the weekend, but to my knowledge, that’s all as well. Heck, Emma’s not even having a party this year (but that’s due to her recent behavior as opposed to age-induced ennui).
It’s odd to reflect on this as being such a non-event. I don’t feel old or anything… I just don’t feel much of anything, I guess (at least so far as my birthday is concerned; I’m still happy-go-lucky and stuff despite the tone of this post ).
Does it mean something? Do I want more recognition, really? Less? Dunno.
Happy birthday to me, all the same.
The Dilbert Blog: Nature and Other Annoyances
Scott Adams was busy blogging yesterday as well, but he was much cooler about it. Read on to see a view of nature quite similar to my own.
| Fun is most important in your life.
Having a high focus on fun indicates that you value your own enjoyment over anything else. And there is nothing wrong with that. Your motto is we’re here for a good time – not a long time. |
Today’s term to use in conversations as often as possible:
biblically-condemnable
This is a take on pride. It stems from Keres’ look on the subject, but the angle is different, I think.
Pride’s a sin (or so I’m told), and humility is the way to go. How dangerous is that though? Humility keeps the ego in check, but I think I’m finding that pride is the driving force to do things, and do them well. Humilty, I’m finding, does nothing but cause feigned surprise when people tell you that your job was well done. I know I did I good job, but I’m not allowed to say so… why? What does the outside validation do to my work? The quality of the work didn’t change any between me thinking I did a good job and someone else thinking I did a good job… what’s the role of this outer acceptance?
It’s not OK for me to think I do good work, is what I’m finding. Certainly not until you think my work is good, and even then, I’m supposed to play it off as if the compliments are kind but unnecessary.
Hrm.
