BSG! BSG!

Wow! Just watched the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica (BSG). It may very well be one of the best sci-fi shows ever, and it certainly ranks up there as one of the best current series on the air! I won't go into the plot, but the characterizations are top-notch. I love that in this episode we got to see a different, almost sympathetic side to the Cylons, the adversaries in the series. Excellent, excellent, excellent television! In my mind the only shows currently worth watching on a regular basis are BSG, Lost, South Park, the Simpsons, Scrubs, Mythbusters, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and maybe Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Tired and a little lonely

Wow! It's been a busy and stressful week at work--lots of little fires to put out, lots of politics, and just a sheer amount of stuff to get done! I'm wiped out when I get home, where I'm thankful it's quiet. I can just relax and recharge my batteries

Still, it can be too quiet. Lately there are moments when I really wish I had someone to share my life with--or even just a good friend or two to go have a beer with. Thankfully, I have received phone calls from a few very good friends who are, quite frankly, too far away for my preference. And there are a few people I miss who aren't that far away but are just too busy I guess.

I just haven't met "my kind of people" (and I use that phrase only because I don't have any better way to capture what I mean) here in Sioux Falls yet--not that anyone's been particularly unfriendly to me or anything--and not that I'm particularly snobbish (at least I don't think I am...maybe a little shy, but not snobbish). I just haven't met many people here that I can say I feel particularly close to, which is too bad, because I could really use a few close friends around me right now. I miss the people I called friends back in my "old life" in Crookston.

"The W.A.N.D."

New favorite song of the moment: "The W.A.N.D." by the Flaming Lips from their forthcoming album At War with the Mystics. Man, this song has a catchy fuzz guitar hook! Makes me eager to hear the new album, out sometime in April.
Very cool! Kind of a bizarre lovechild song if Black Sabbath and YES created a baby raised by Kool and the Gang?!?! (Okay, maybe not quite.)

Check out the Flaming Lips' website

Live and let live -or- I won't tolerate intolerance

Two things happened to catch my eye simulaneously this evening.. I was re-reading the newspaper while I had the TV on in the background. Just as I was scanning through an article about recent legislation signed by the governor of South Dakota that limits/prohibits protesting at funerals (the radical "Christian" God Hates Fags Church has been protesting at local servicemen's funerals because those servicemen died for America, which has the ungodly gall to allow homosexuals to live and, dare I say it, be treated almost like equals), I caught a moment of that stellar reality series "Wife Swap" where the two mismatched/swapped couples were experiencing their own levels of intolerance. One redneck husband was offended that his newly swapped wife asked him to take down the confederate flag in his yard, while his swapped wife was telling her equally mismatched new husband that the rule was that an American flag had to be put up in his yard. These two swapped couples, both from the South, were truly two ends of the spectrum: liberal, free-spirited, PETA vegetarians vs. flag-waving, gun-toting man-of-the-house conservatives.

What do these two seemingly unrelated things have in common? Tolerance, or, perhaps, the lack thereof. What happened to the semi-golden rule of LIVE and LET LIVE? Why has this contry become so incredibly polarized on every issue? (I thought 'king W., Our Leader, was a "uniter, not a divider"!?!) While I'm not a fan of the "Wife Swap" show, at least it requires the participants to walk 10 days in someone else's shoes. And, in the end, both families learned a little something and made a few changes. Imagine that an experience outside of one's own little world would open the mind!

That's maybe why I went back to reading the article about protests at funerals, shaking my head a little. I've recently read somewhere that the right to free speech essentially boils down to the right to offend. If we have strong opinions on something (government, god/God, abortion, same-sex marriage, stem cell research, red vs. blue, the earth is round) and we talk about them, we will, no doubt, offend someone. I have to agree that freedom of speech is essentially freedom to offend. And it does offend me that someone would picket a funeral with a sign that reads "God Hates Fags" and chant about how the deceased is going to go to hell for defending a country that allows "fags". And even though I have to grit my teeth and bear their opionions because I believe in free speech, it still riles me that this would happen at a serviceman's funeral or at a funeral for someone who may have been homosexual. What purpose does it serve but to bring more pain to the family that is already grieving? Funerals are not political hotbeds.

We all need to constantly learn and re-learn to live and let live, be tolerant and be tolerated. That's why America has been great. Tying it into one more current event, I worry about the riots by Muslims in Denmark over the publication of cartoons that depict their holy prophet Muhammed--apparently any representation of their prophet makes even moderate Muslims go ga-ga!--and the reaction of the Danish press and the media of most other Western counties backing off. This is where the freedom of the press begins to erode. What next, will the media back away from the tough questions for our president when it comes to his Christian background? Oh, wait, they already have backed off of the tough questions on every issue.

It's come down to the age-old battle of fundamentalism vs. freedom; unquestioned dogma vs. free-thinking inquirey; "God said" vs. what science shows us; theocracy vs. democracy. I hope we don't go back to the Dark Ages where everything was stifled because those in power would not allow dissent (blashphemy). How far are we away from reinstating the Spanish Inquisition?

Two final thoughts: 1) Watch more South Park - they offend EVERYBODY EQUALLY! 2) I hope that each and every one of those religious fundamentalists have to face a situation where a daugter comes to them pregnant and unmarried and/or a son reveals he's gay and/or one of their children has died fighting for this country. It may help them open their minds and wipe those scales from their eyes... Sigh...

I was never much good at goodbyes...

This past Sunday, my dad, Walter Francis Svec, passed away. He was going on 84 years old and had Parkinson's Disease, but the last time I saw him--about a week before--he was pretty lucid and asked me how work was going. I told him, "Busy, but good," and shortly after I said "See you next time." I was surprised to get the call on Sunday from my sister that Dad had drifted off at breakfast--calmly, just as if he had gone to sleep.

It's weird to think he's not here, physically, anymore. I cried a little over the next few days, mostly because my mom and sisters and brother were crying. But still, I didn't have a big crying moment. It's not because I didn't love him, I did. Then, when the coffin was lowered into the ground, I felt it: a wave of sadness, and I just let it out for a little while. I was sad for all of us, but deep down I knew Dad was at peace. Lately, his quality of life had been diminishing dramatically each day due to the Parkinson's. He was lucid, but often couldn't respond or couldn't respond quickly.

I'm thankful for having a good man like him as my father. He was a typical old-school, stoic farmer--a man of few words--but he was a very kind, gentle, loving man and he did everything for his family. I love you, Dad, and I'll miss you.

Rediscovering late 1960s/early 1970s movies

I've been on a bit of a movie kick lately, and, oddly enough, I've been gravitating to movies of the late 1960s/early 1970s. Actors like Elliott Gould, Donald Sutherland and Alan Arkin are the stars I'm watching. Just watched "Little Murders" (1971), a sort of bizarro comedy/satire with one of the most interesting wedding ceremonies ever captured on film. I've also picked up "Catch 22" (1970) and am looking for "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" (1968), but I don't believe that's been released on DVD. These films are filled with satire (ALWAYS a good thing) and are sometimes a little dark, but that's okay with me. On deck for this afternoon: "Catch 22".

Not quite fitting into the early 1970s category, I also want to see Bill Murray in "The Razor's Edge" (1984). I remember seeing it back then, but being 18 years old at the time, I am sure I didn't really understand it. Here's the plot summary: Larry Darrell returns from the battlefields of World War I to America a different person. His fiance resigns herself to a delay in wedding plans when Larry heads off to Paris. There he finds he prefers a simpler existence and begins to read. One book inspires him to visit India and on to Nepal where he finds spiritual help from a lama. On returning to Paris he finds Isabel and some old friends. Everyone has changed.

America through 10 movies

A cool meme I will try my hand at...

"The challenge is to explain America to someone from somewhere else by giving them 10 movies to watch. The idea is not to give them a history lesson, so you don't have to start with The New World and end with Jarhead. What you're trying to do is give them a sense of who we are -- your take on our dreams, our attitudes, our idioms, what we think we are, what we are afraid we are, what we really might be."

Please note, I've tried to keep it to recent movies (no more than 20 years old) because I think the way we see ourselves is very temporal... So, here are my choices:

Garden State (2004) - it starts out a bit dark, but ends on an optimistic note - we all want that happy ending - its quirky characters ring true to the weird individuality that is America.
Rushmore (1999) - yes, we are all sort of enthralled by popular culture, and yes, Bill Murray's character is great at showing that capitalism can leave us unhappy.
American Beauty (1999) - the contemporary American family is far from perfect - an interesting analysis of individuality as opposed to true familiality.
Pleasantville (1998) - a great, lighthearted commentary not only on America waking up from the 1950s but also on personal discovery.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - more quirky families learning to accept each other, but done through wonderful storytelling.
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - even though it's set n the early 1900s, it speaks volumes about friendship and loyalty.
Big Fish (2004) - are all Americans tall tale tellers? Are all families in America dysfunctional? Do all stories end happily? Yes, Yes, Yes/No. Discuss...
Far from Heaven (2002) - more self-discovery, this time mainly for a 1950s woman who learns how to be independent after her husband admits he's gay - there's also some hopeful interracial interaction.
Dances with Wolves (1990) - a western epic that explores a more realistic representation of Native Americans - also a great commentary on appreciating differences.
Ferris Beuller's Day Off (1986) - were all kids in 1980s America this precocious and/or neurotic? Also, is this what the American eduction system is like? Moreso that not, I'm afraid.

Most of these films are filled with flawed, quirky characters who, more often than not, learn how to accept and love each other. I guess that's what I've always believed America was about. Too bad the Republicans and Democrats can't learn that lesson...

Lies, lies, lies, yeah!

During a recent press conference where questions arose about whether George W. Bush, or as I like to call him, 'king W., had ever associated with "allegedly" corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said, “The President does not know him, nor does the President recall ever meeting him.”

Well, that apparently, is a LIE. According to reporter Kim Eisler of The Washingtonian:

"The Washingtonian has seen five photos of the President with Abramoff or his family. One photo shows the President and Abramoff shaking hands at a meeting in the Old Executive Office Building, where a bearded-Abramoff introduced Bush to several of the lobbyist’s native-American clients."

Read the whole report here.

There have been so many statements of questionable truth from 'king W. and his entire administration on any number of things from 9/11 to torture of prisoners to WMD's in Iraq to basically anything the man says... In my mind, all of those hinge on whether or not we ever see those photos or hear from Abramoff directly that Bush knows him. If we find that confirmed, then I say IMPEACH BUSH for lying to the Ameican people. Because if he's lying aobut this particular instance, what's to say he hasn't been lying all along? Isn't "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness" one of the big ones, 'king W.?

By the way, former President Bill Clinton was brought to censure for lying about getting a blow job from Monica Lewinski. If that was the result from a years' long investigation and congressional censure all because of a lie about sex, shouldn't there be some major investigations going on right now about this lying about the really important stuff? Maybe not, especially if there is what seems to be a culture of corruption that pervades the Republican party in Washington D.C. You've got to keep your party's corruption covered up, especially when your party includes the president and the majority party... Wake up America!

Empirical evidence

Currently, I am a very big fan of empirical (relying on or derived from observation or experiment or verifiable or provable by means of observation or experiment) evidence--empirical evidence about anything: evolution, global warming, WMD, nature vs. nurture, genetics vs. choice, a Higher Power, quantifiable public opion, projections based on past data averages, etc. Our fearless leader 'king W. does not appear to care or seem to need to care about empirical evidence. Most of our religious leaders are ignoring empirical evidence. My faith that the Higher Power actually cares or can do anything about our individual situations is at an all time low--currently I have no empirical evidence to support that assertion. Sorry, but that's how I feel right now. I hope I am proven wrong, but until then...gimme empirical evidence or get outta my face.

Pensive? Introspective? Me?!?

Came across this text on the web somewhere and it resonated somehow. I must be in one of my pensive, introspective moods. Or maybe it's just the January blahs... In any case, I kind of like what it says. I couldn't find an author, so I'll attribute it to anonymous (he or she's writte a lot of profound stuff over the years...).

It's been said that people come into our lives for a reason--bringing something we must learn. We are led to those who help us grow if we let them, and we help them in return. Well I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I met you. Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed. It may well be that we never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part, so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart, and now, whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine by being my friend.

Four things...

A recent circulating meme that seems appropriate for the new year...

Four jobs you’ve had in your life: Director of Marketing, Director of Communications, Webmaster, College Admissions Counselor

Four movies you could watch over and over: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back, Gladiator, Dodgeball

Four places you’ve lived: Sioux Falls, SD; Crookston, MN; Morris, MN; Lowry, MN

Four TV shows you love to watch: South Park, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, the Daily Show

Four places you’ve been on vacation: Alaska; Minnesota’s North Shore; Austin, TX; Cedar Rapids, IA

Four websites you visit daily: patriotboy.blogspot.com ; www.washingtonpavilion.org ; www.truthout.org ; uncannyxmen.net

Four of your favorite foods: Pizza, Chocolate, Lasagna, Chicken

Four places you’d rather be: in bed, at the beach, listening to CDs at home, hanging out with friends

Chain letter wisdom...

I don't get a lot of chain letter e-mail anymore, thank goodness, but I recieved one today that came just when I needed a pick me up. It contained a few pearls of wisdom that resonated, so I will share them.

>> The best relationship is one where your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

>> At least once a year go someplace you've never been before.

>> Don't let a little dispute ruin a great relationship.

>> Remember that NOT getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

If that last one is true, I'm one of the luckiest men in the world. Take care all!

...of vaccines and creationists...

Thanks, Gary Trudeau, for your Sunday comic of Dec. 18, 2005. You got me thinking that if creationists truly despise evolution and truly believe it is a fallacy, they should not choose to be vaccinated. Bacteriological science is based on the concept of evolution... that's why we have a new flu shot each year: because bacteria are perhaps the fastest evolving life form on earth.

Now before you send me hate mail, I'm not advocating that anyone be denied vaccines if they want them. I AM saying that it is quite hypocritical to say one is a dyed-in-the-wool creationist and then go out to get his or her vaccinations. If people's beliefs are stuck in the 15th century, should they really choose the benefits of the 21st century--especially those benefits brought about by something they don't believe actually exists: evolution? Just a thought as we enter the holiday season. ;)

What "war against Christmas"?!?!

For Christ's sake (no blasphemy intended) what that hell is up with Bill O'Reilly and some other Religious Reich people and their insistance that there is some organized "war against Christmas" conspiracy going on here? I don't seen anyone feeding Christians to lions or closing churches. By the way, to be persecuted, doesn't one have to be in the minority in some way? I just don't get this!

First off, a huge deal is being made that Target stores and some other larger chain discount stores are encouraging their staff members to say "Happy Holidays" to their customers instead of "Merry Christmas". Haven't people been saying Happy Holidays for as long as you can remember? What is wrong with that? Yes, Christmas is a major holiday at this time, but there are other holidays like Haunukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's Day, and even the winter solstice. Note: because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the holy month of Ramadan now mainly falls in November. My question: what's wrong with a business (yes, Target is a business not a church, unless you mean a church of capitalism) trying to be inclusive and offer a generic "Happy Holidays" greeting?

Much ado about nothing is also taking place about the use of the term "holiday tree" vs. "Christmas tree". For God's sake, the entire tree thing is based on a pagan concept to begin with! Apparently the yule tradition in many Germanic tribes involved sacrificing animals and slave and suspending them from the branches of trees! (check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree) Maybe it should be called a "Pagan Tree" for accuracy!

For that matter, Christmas was purposely chosen to take place right around the pagan celebration of the solstice in order to help Christianize the pagans. (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9082431)

Perhaps I would agree with Mr. O'Reilly and the Religious Reich that there truly was a "war on Christmas" if, indeed, the police were boarding up churches and/or arresting people for attending services or something like that. Such is NOT the case in my observations. The latest statistic I saw indicated that roughly 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians.

Yes, there is definitely a Christian majority here. But there is a key point that Mr. O'Reilly and the Religious Reich seem to be overlooking: the U.S. is a democracy, NOT A THEOCRACY. We have freedom of religion and a tradition of separation of church and state (although that seems to be eroding a bit because of Mr. O'Reilly and the Religions Reich). So there is absolutely nothing wrong with businesses encouraging "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas" simply because it prevents the awkwardness of potentially saying "Merry Christmas" to a Jewish or Islamic patron (not to mention the many other religions Americans subscribe to).

You keep watching, Mr. O'Reilly, and let us know when Christians are truly being persecuted! Until then, please shut up about it and focus your "news reporting" on the war against the poor and middle class, the war on education, the war on drugs, or maybe even the war in Iraq.

Favorite music - the 2005 edition

As we approach the end of yet another year, it's time for me to pull together a list of my favorite music. 2005 wasn't a bad year, even for mainstream music. Here are my picks from 2005.

1. "Warnings/Promises" - Idlewild
2. "Birds Make Good Neighbors" - the Rosebuds
3. "The Magic Numbers" - the Magic Numbers
4. "Lovekraft" - Super Furry Animals
5. "Paper Tigers" - Caesars
6. "Employment" - Kaiser Chiefs
7. "Spelled in Bones" - Fruitbats
8. "Illinois" - Sufjan Stevens
9. "The Best Little Secrets Are Kept" - Louis XIV
10. "The Alternative to Love" - Brendan Benson
11. "Urgency" - the Pale Pacific
12. "Psychology" - Discover America
13. "Guero" - Beck
14. "Blinking Lights and Other Revelations" - Eels
15. "Why Should the Fire Die" - Nickel Creek
16. "You Could Have It So Much Better" - Franz Ferdinand
17. "Haughty Melodic" - Mike Doughty
18. "Gimme Fiction" - Spoon
19. "Aha Shake Heartbreaker" - Kings of Leon
20. "Get Behind Me, Satan" - the White Stripes
21. "Silent Alarm" - Bloc Party
22. "Oh No" - OK Go
23. "Out of Exile" - Audioslave
24. "Back to Me" - Kathleen Edwards
25. "Gone Ain't Gone" - Tim Fite
26. "The Bravery" - the Bravery
27. "Elevator" - Hot Hot Heat
28. "Stars of CCTV" - Hard Fi
29. "Howl Howl, Gaff Gaff" - Shout Out Louds
30. "Open Season" - British Sea Power

Best reissues: the Eurythmics back catalog with bonus cuts
Absolutely worst "song": "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas

Geek love: the Sharpies of our desire

So I was at Barnes & Noble today and I noticed the young woman who was serving as the check-out was using a green pen. In a chit-chatty way she commented that she really liked using that pen with green ink because is was distinct from all the other "boring black ink pens."

I commented that I, too, liked using pens with different colored ink, like purple. She came back with something to the effect that she really liked purple pens too.

Then, sensing a fellow pen geek, I confessed that my writing utinsels of choice were fine point Sharpies--to which she smiled and took out a black Sharpie and, waving it in the air with a slight flair, said, "Me too! It's cool that they come in so many colors now." I said,"Yeah, I like the olive green ones and the magenta ones." She said she had a pink one to do invoices.

We then stopped for a beat and sort of smiled at each other in smirky, knowing way, realizing we were both pen geeks. In a way it was awkward, but in another way, comforting, as in finding out "it wasn't just me."

I really enjoy life moments like that. Hmmm.

How can we go on?

Brace yourself. First it was Ben and J-lo, then it was Brad and Jennifer, now we learn that Nick and Jessica are breaking up. I just watched a nearly five-minute segment about it on the Today Show. I don't know if I can handle this. (I wonder if she is to blame? Damn, you, Angelina Jolie!) I just feel like crawling into bed and never coming out. How can we live in a world where celebrity relationships and/or marriages don't last?!? How can that kind of life be even remotely worth living? I will wear black today in honor of the love and convenient career advancement opportunities that no longer exist between Nick and Jessica. I don't know how I'm going to make it through the day without bursting into tears. Oh, the horror!

Okay, now I'm over it. Thanks. I'm sure there will be more celebrity marriages and break ups. What else would our news media do with all their time? Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful part 1

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let me begin to offer a short list of things I am thankful for...

>> I'm thankful that the people of Dover, Penn., voted out all eight members of their school board who supported the forcing of science teachers to adopt intelligent design into their biology curriculum. Thanks for keeping God out of schools and keeping him in the multitude of churches that abound in this country. (Don't get me wrong, God is good and all, but religion just doesn't belong in science classes. I would be supportive of teaching a world theology course in all high schools so we could also better understand Islam, Buddism, Judiasm AND Christianity as well as other religions. Imagine how that would help America!)

>> Oddly enough I'm also thankful that goofy old Pat Robertson spoke up and said that since the residents of Dover, Penn., "voted God out of their city" they shouldn't come crying to him when a tornado or a hurricane or the bird flu (or maybe all three) destroy their town. [Sarcasm alert: Whew! Thank goodness there ain't no homosexuals living in Dover, or there just might be some fire and brimstone from the heavens too.] It just shows what a lunatic he is (and that he believes in an angry, vengeful God of the Old Testament). I'm sure the people of Dover are just as good or bad as they were before and are happy with the church and form of worship of their choice.

>> I'm thankful that my nephew Dan looks like he'll be making it out of Iraq in one piece and will be home for Christmas!

>> I'm also thankful that 'king W.'s approval rating continues to plummet. Can I say it one more time: Wost President Ever!

>> I'm thankful for my friend Charlie in Lincoln, Neb., for Chris & Heidi and the kids in Solon, Iowa, for Karl & Jody and the kids in St. Joseph, Minn., for Alex & Holly, Peg, Sheila & Marcel, Doc, Jeff, Owen, Pam, John & Deb, Sue & Paul, Rose, Stacey & Dan, Don & MaryBeth and everyone else in Crookston, Minn., for Doug S. in Las Vegas, and for Tim & Shannon in Houston, Tex. Thanks friends.

>> I'm thankful for Steve, Jane, Trevor, and Jon and EVERYONE at the Washington Pavilion. You are a great group of people to work with.

>> I'm thankful for all the GOOD music that came out this year [and that there was a bit less crap]... and most recently for the great remasters of all the classic Eurythmics albums. Look for a best of 2005 list soon.

>> I'm thankful for chocolate in all its wonderful forms!

Big Oil is the winner!

Wow, what an eye-opener! I just read that Exxon Mobil Corp. and ConocoPhillips, two of the biggest of Big Oil, have raked in their biggest profits in history! Exxon Mobil's profits were up 75% and ConocoPhillips' profits were up 89%. Hey, at least someone got something out of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita!

It's hard not to somehow feel taken advantage of, however--personally and collectively as part of the Middle Class (not to metion those who have even less than the Middle Class). It's just kind of hard to take when we hear of things like pensions being cut or frozen for workers at General Motors, like hurricane-displaced people struggling to make ends meet, and like the big cuts in health care programs for the poor and elderly. Oh, you didn't hear that the Senate Finance Committee's 11 Republicans outvoted the 9 Democrats to cut MediCare and MedicAid by $10 billion? Who says Republicans aren't compassionate conservatives?

I understand that natural gas prices are expected to increase 30-50% for this coming winter. Yeah, more profits for the energy companies! You'd think with such historic profit margins, they could cut us all a break. So much for all Americans pulling together in times of trouble. Oh, yeah, that's not an American ideal, that's either more of an ideal for the poor and/or socialists. Here in America, it's everyone for himself, Big Oil not excluded, eh?

Hammering nails and speaking in tongues...

Don't really know what the title of today's entry means, but sort of sounds cool together...It's a line from "Doesn't Remind Me" by AudioSlave.

I was really busy today at work, as usual. Never seems to be any time to breathe deeply and/or process information. It's always on to the next thing and then the next after that. I guess that's the benefit AND curse of working for a non-profit entity.

Decided not to head to Crookston this weekend, even though I'd really like to. The Halloween Party fell apart and I just have so much work to catch up on that I can't take this weekend AND next weekend off. If I can go in to work on Saturday I think I can make a big dent in the budget work I need to get done. That way it won't be hanging over my head.

I happier news, Miss Jane Hathaway brough delicious filled pastries to our meeting this mornign in celebration of my B-day. Thanks, Jane, that was very nice of you!
I will now go and read a magazine and drink a beer. Whoo-hoo!

Thanks to everyone who sent birthday well-wishes!