Finally got around to putting up a bunch of pictures including this one taken at Conrad's 5th birthday party.

In case you have more time than you need. Distractions

I think it's important to be an active participant in the creation of your own mythos.

I have a friend of mine in the Navy reserves who has been activated and just arrived in Kuwait. I got this e-mail from him today. I found this window into life over there very useful and thought I would share it here: -------------------------------- Well, arrived in Kuwait at 6am the other day and it was a cool 99 degrees. I've never experienced heat like this, yesterday it was 106 and 80 percent humidity at 7:30am and only got worse by the minute (don't know that actually high because I was on the water all afternoon and into the eve). The food is pretty darn good, and the portions are enormous. Did I mention its hot here? Took a shower last night at midnight and by the time I got back to my tent I was soaked in sweat again :) I've got a whole lot of respect for our marines and soldiers on the ground in Iraq, those guys are enduring the same type of weather we are and they are doing it in full battle rattle, drinking warm water and on their feet the whole time. I couldn't imagin a prolonged fight in all that body armor, we've got guys falling out with minor heat injuries and we don't wear half the gear they do. Duty is ok, not very exciting but thats how we like it. Miss all of you and hope everything is going ok back in the states, will try and email more as I get time. Take care all! ------------------------------- Come home safe Jeremy

Just to prove that there are some things you never grow out of: [15:01] entropyhed: that's one of those moments [15:01] entropyhed: like listening to joshua tree on the car stereo driving through joshua tree monument [15:02] es: Or drinking while you're peeing! [15:02] es: ok, maybe not. [15:03] entropyhed: done it..and while i did giggle slightly, it wasn't one of THOSE moments [15:03] es: right, whole 'nuther kind of moment entirely [15:03] entropyhed: (just giggled again) [15:03] es: now, have you ever eaten a mudpie while you're... [15:03] es: nm [15:04] entropyhed: (I'm ashamed to say you beat me to that one) [15:04] entropyhed: fart and inhale? no...different pathways...hmmmm [15:05] entropyhed: I'm enjoying this too much [15:05] es: we are slaves to hundreds of millions of years worth of evolution [15:05] es: I'm guilt free [15:05] entropyhed: lol [15:06] entropyhed: hundreds of millions of years of fart jokes...makes the mind boggle [15:06] entropyhed: and puts my olfactory nerves into complete retreat

Catalina, baby. Buffalo. Ocean. Sand. Ommmm.

I'm an uncle again! Baby Mackenzie is here!

The Dirksen twins are 1! I've been sitting on these pictures for a bit, but I'm ready to share.

I picked up a good quality face painting kit for Adrienne, with the expected results. :)

From chat: [10:01] entropyhed: stumbled across some homemade frijole soup [10:01] entropyhed: yummy [10:06] m: oh man. That's hard to get off the shoes. [10:07] entropyhed: HEHE [10:07] entropyhed: luckily there was enough left to get a bowl [10:07] m: Use the rubber type of spatula... helps get more outta the cracks. [10:08] entropyhed: very spicy [10:08] entropyhed: making me sweat [10:08] entropyhed: man this good [10:08] entropyhed: i love just sitting and simmering after eating something like that [10:09] m: Any food you can feel for over an hour after injestion is on the "Good" list [10:10] f: interesting barometer for food mikey [10:11] m: Jack-In-The-Box Tacos. High on the scale [10:11] entropyhed: mikey is an interesting barometer period [10:13] entropyhed: i may have to go back for another bowl [10:13] entropyhed: (forgive me adrienne) [10:13] m: mmmmm..... [10:13] f: lol [10:13] m: multiple-Frijole day! [10:14] f: Forgive us Oh Lord for the bans we are about to ingest. Their latter offenses, though natural and of your work, we hope will fly unto you and be forgiven before they bring our families to ruination. Amen. [10:15] entropyhed: lol [10:15] entropyhed: bout right [10:15] m: hang on - writing that one down

My parents went on an Alaskan cruise in May and I was able to "borrow" their camera. Check out some of these shots

Texas is a silly place. It has given us the only President I have ever actively hated and now this.

Adrienne and Conrad were standing in line at Hollywood Video picking up a couple movies and Conrad was sitting quiet in her arms. Adrienne: I love you. Conrad: I love you too, mom. Adrienne: Why do you love me? Conrad: Because Adrienne: I love you because you smell like cookies. Conrad: I love you because you smell like...life. He said it just loud enough for the young woman checking out the videos and the other customer in line to hear and they all just got real quiet.

Evolved shared this wacky link with me today.

STILL haven't read the book? www.amazon.com "Unleashing The Warrior Within" Richard Machowicz (www.bukido.com) So far, specifically due to this book and the class I've taken: 1.)Lost over 50 pounds...replaced with lean muscle. 2.)dropped about 80% of my overall stress and worry and anger. 3.)I've overcome and re-evaluated several huge fears and come out stronger and better equipped to deal with everything. (after MANY years in therapy...this book/course was what made IT happen...results finally) 4.) regained confidence and joy (and then some!) I had not known in YEARS. I took back my life. I took the red pill. 5.) I can do 100 pushups. 100 situps. 100 squats.100 really fast jumping jacks. THEN I can still focus and train with a bunch of really awesome people learning to protect myself (and others too) and "show up" in the event of threat. Sound hokey? Sound impossible? Sound great? I challenge you to read this book.

I got the companies tickets to the Dodger game last night, and went to pick up my brother and he had rented a limo so we could ride in style. Woohoo! Great game, great company, great wheels, sitting down with the beautiful people. Nice.

Adrienne spotted this comic and we decided to post it in honor of Steve and Sandy. *bow*

When those hardy european miners got tired of pushing those mine carts through tiny dusty tunnels they bred tiny horses. This one is actually full grown. Adrienne do you have anything to add? Adrienne? Hello?

On Sunday I hopped on my bike and took my caboose up through Monrovia Canyon park and into the Angeles National Forest. Ended up making it up to White Saddle. Woot!

Finally getting the spring fertility celebration pictures up. Sorry dad.