I'm sure you're all familiar with the classic children's toe-grabbing rhyme, "This little piggy...". Well, after the first 20 or 30 times, that rhyme gets pretty darn boring. So I came up with a few variations. First, here's one that my mom actually taught us to help us learn left from right. Piggies are always done on the right foot; Froggies are always done on the left foot: This little Froggy broke his toe-- This little froggy yelled "Oh no, no!" This little froggy laughed, and ...

Here's a little poem that I wrote for Krystal on her first birthday (which was just 3 days ago...) Happy birthday, Krystal, dear! You've filled our hearts with so much cheer; We can't believe the year is done And you are ready to turn one! Happy birthday, darling child! We loved you the first time you smiled. Even when you cry and whine Your presence still makes each day shine. Happy birthday, little girl! You just can't wait to see the world-- You want to walk, to run, to...

So, just in case anybody here would miss me (though it hardly seems likely), I'll be leaving on Sunday morning for about a week. Probably won't be doing any internetting during that time, because I'll be in VEGAS, Baby! Gettin' married and havin' a good ol' time! Ping-pong all day, Party all night! Okay, actually I'm lying about that party bit. It's quite a bit of effort playing ping-pong all day, and usually we sack out pretty quickly. But it's still a lot of fun, and we usually tr...

Today, tomorrow, and half of Saturday, I am alone with my child. Ann is off to San Francisco for a business trip (a training seminar, to be precise), and so Krystal and I have to survive on our own for a few days. So far, I am happy to say (all of 24 hours after dropping Ann off at the airport, 16 if you count instead from the time I picked Krystal up from day care), we are doing pretty well. I didn't get enough sleep, but that's because I decided that the cats wouldn't be loud enough to...

I'm sure this will shock and amaze someone (not sure who, but there's gotta be at least ONE person SOMEWHERE), but my daughter was born, and at this time remains, out of wedlock. But that's about to change! We've got plane tickets, chapel reservations, a hotel room, a best man, a bridesmaid, and someone to help my darling cutie baby to be a flower girl. We're heading to Las Vegas, to be joined in matrimony under the auspices of Caesar himself! (Well, in his palace, anyway; Caesar wasn't...

I have a lovely little office. It's only 8x12, but it's a corner office with a window. Two bookshelves, a table, a desk, two chairs,and my collection of Dilbert plush dolls (the 6" variety) on top of my monitor, and it's quite a cozy nook. Except that it's November, and our heating unit isn't working right. My desk is right next to the window. My mouse is on the side of the desk that is right next to the window. The window is not a very efficient window and leaks cold air like a fro...

IS SANTA CLAUS REALLY GOD? Decide for yourself! Here's the evidence: They both have beards. They're both old men. They both have little helpers (elves/angels) They both perform miracles. They both know when you've been good or bad. They both reward you for goodness and punish you for badness. They both take requests (letters/prayers). Neither of them always fulfills those requests. Neither of them gives you a reason for not fulfilling them. They both operate invisibly. Yo...

IS SANTA CLAUS REALLY GOD? Decide for yourself! Here's the evidence: They both have beards. They're both old men. They both have little helpers (elves/angels) They both perform miracles. They both know when you've been good or bad. They both reward you for goodness and punish you for badness. They both take requests (letters/prayers). Neither of them always fulfills those requests. Neither of them gives you a reason for not fulfilling them. They both operate invisibly. Yo...

Just had to share a couple more photos of the cutest baby ever... mine! Take a look at this and see just how close to the Gerber Baby Krystal actually is: And here, with her tongue out, she is just the most adorable thing in the world:

Nathicana by H.P. Lovecraft Bar of Chocolate by Citahellion It was in the pale garden of Zais; The mist-shrouded gardens of Zais, Where blossoms the white nephalot, the redolent herald of midnight. There slumber the still lakes of crystal, and streamlets that flow without murm'ring, smooth streamlets from caverns of Kathos Where broodth the calm spirits of twilight. And over the lakes and the streamlets are bridges of pure alabaster, white bridges...

Nathicana by H.P. Lovecraft Bar of Chocolate by Citahellion It was in the pale garden of Zais; The mist-shrouded gardens of Zais, Where blossoms the white nephalot, the redolent herald of midnight. There slumber the still lakes of crystal, and streamlets that flow without murm'ring, smooth streamlets from caverns of Kathos Where broodth the calm spirits of twilight. And over the lakes and the streamlets are bridges of pure alabaster, white bridges...

I have nothing in particular against people who occasionally cut and paste an item or article from somewhere else and present it as a blog entry. I don't even mind it TOO much when they don't bother to look into the origin of the item and post it with uncritical approval or endorsement. What I find completely objectionable is when someone points out something clearly wrong with the item in question (which may range from a mere incorrect attribution up through line-by-line debunking of eve...

In a companion piece to my "42 things about me" article, here are 42 things you should know about Krystal: She: 1) is about 21.2 pounds. 2) will be 11 months old next Wednesday 3) is about 30" tall. 4) can pull herself up. 5) can crawl like crazy. 6) hates having her face scrubbed after a meal. 7) hates having her hands scrubbed after a meal, too. 8) loves taking a bath. 9) Has dark brown eyes. 10) has light brownish hair, but it's kinda hard to tell because it's still pretty th...

So Sunday night I was just sitting right here at my computer, reading happily along, when suddenly there's a POP and my computer just powers itself off, right in the middle of everything. Much poking, prodding, cord-manipulating, un-plugging, re-plugging, and screwdrivering later, I have the power supply in my hands, open. There is a distinctive odor coming from its innards. If you've ever smelled a fried computer chip before, you'll know exactly the smell I mean. I couldn't see what ...