Whoa

"The famous photo of Earth from Apollo 17 (Blue Marble) originally had the south pole at the top, as in this view, with the island of Madagascar visible just left of center, and the continent of Africa at its right. However, the image was turned upside-down to fit the traditional view.^{[1]"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversed_map)}

Slightly nauseous musing

Though I might just be hungry.

• As Ike was attacking the oil rigs of the Gulf of Mexico, I wondered where the conservatives who claim to know what God is thinking were with their Voices of the Lord. If Katrina was punishment for New Orleans' wanton ways, who was He punishing this time?
  
  
• Has Palin struck anyone as a younger, less qualified, girlified Cheney?
  
  
• Can I have a dollar?
  
  
• This guy on Match IMed me out of the blue by guessing that my screen name might be the same as my AOL address (which I usually try to erase from the Match e-mails but forget to do as time goes on). I should've just blocked/declined the IM, but I didn't, thinking it was Mark under a different screen name. Am I wrong in feeling it was rude or at least presumptuous of him? Like calling someone when they never gave you their phone number? I felt very put on the spot. After a few minutes I bailed and haven't heard from him since. No apologies for making me uncomfortable, which I clearly was, either. In fact I think he claimed cleverness in his deduction. He's well out of my age range, but this is the one case where that struck me as irrelevant. But I'd have expected someone 51 to have better manners.
  

Somebody's EIGHT today!

FOUR somebodies, even. Take a gander at their birthday photos (taken today, aye).
































































































































































While their progenitor hides under a bright blue chair.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Otter, Salem, Fathom and Blissypants! And Happy Birthing Day, Rogue-in-bloomers!

Most of us can only dream of such a thing

minuterice ‎(2:44 PM):

i went to the store yesterday and came home to a baby dressed in a diaper, big clunky plastic cinderella shoes, and a adult size cowboy hat

dancing

which consists mostly of spinning and laughing

Leaning toward May 30

If I can get it where I want it. (That's what she said.) Likely problem with Plantations: toilet facilities. I think they set up port-a-potties, and that's a deal-breaker.

If you're wondering about how I landed at these dates (and I know it kept you up last night):

My cousin Erin is having her wedding March 28. So if I want family there, and if I want to go to the wedding myself (might not), both weekends on either side (March 21, April 4) are out. April 12 is Easter. I want my friend Blake there, and sheʼs got a wedding April 18. Sheʼs also having her own 45th bash May 9, which I will go to, and Karla is probably having her 40th on March 14, which I will also go to. This travel of mine and planning needs of theirs affect the timing too.

Plus if people are coming from Florida, and at least 2 are, it'll be a much nicer visit for them in May.

Save the Date

I've been thinking for a couple of weeks now about what I'd like to do for that 40th birthday party. Erin's wedding date really ruins a good 3 weeks' worth of timing (March 21, March 28, April 4) if I want any family to be able to come and if I want to go to the wedding myself. Karla's own 40th party will likely be March 14. Easter is April 12. Blake's heavily involved in a wedding April 18 AND will be having her own 45th bash May 9.

This leaves us with February 28 or getting way later into May.

I think I've ruled out a Big Deal like a masquerade. It just sets up too many expectations that are not likely to come through. In May we could do it at Plantations, which would REALLY be cool. But also risky, because You Never Know With the Weather and All. But it would also be a more appealing time for Florida people to come (and good heavens, I hope someone comes).

Feb. would be nice for the break in the monotony, and because it'll be a little closer to the actual date (March 29).

I had a post all ready to go asking for your vote on what exactly to throw, masquerade or big band, but I think I'm safer going lower-key. The other thing I definitely want to look into is making it an SPCA benefit. Regardless, the SPCA will be recommended to anyone who is considering a gift.

Any thoughts or ideas? Please chime in in the comments so we can all discuss. Essay form is preferred, though multiple choice will be accepted.

Why anyone should move to Buffalo

Some really good reasons right here

Sadness.

I found out today that one of my columnists, Roger Hernandez, died this weekend. I am not even sure what happened. He'd had prostate cancer, but had beat it pretty well, last update I had. Amy told me he was having surgery Friday. The notice says he died in the hospital "after a brief illness." I will find out more as the King people do, I'm sure.

Roger was always such a great guy and really good to me. He was born in Havana and immigrated with his family when he was a boy. I learned a lot about Cuba from him.

I'm weak-legged and broken-hearted today.