Anniversary

Today my beautiful wife, Kelly, and the sluggard she married celebrate three years of marriage. Having met on Sept. 14, 2004 as loaned executives at United Way, it took only nine months to tie the knot.

Three years later, we've drastically changed the look of the home, the backyard, and have added a sweet little girl to the mix.

I really have no words to describe how blessed I am to have met Kelly. Thank you, my love!


I initially found it disconcerting that we had to share our anniversary with the founding of Wigderson Library & Pub. Having thought about it, I have come to the conclusion that great events occur in pairs (even if they occurred a few years apart).

Oh, it was also on this date that Swedish Vikings attacked Constantinople in the year 860.

Being Proactive

Got to give credit where credit is due. With the blocking of the Lilly and Burleigh intersection, traffic is bound to get even weirder and more dangerous on Fiebrantz. I'm happy to report that the Brookfield police realize this. During a phone conversation earlier today (I did not initate it) I was told that patrols would be increased.

Man, it's going to be a long summer though. I was out walking my baby daughter when I spied a van zipping down the hill. The passenger punk got upset when I motioned to slow down. "What's the problem," he yelled, apparently oblivious to the fact that 50 mph doubled the posted speed.

He was not alone.

John Gibson is Rupert Murdoch's Bitch

For whatever reason yesterday, I wound up watching Faux News coverage of Tim Russert's untimely passing. The elegantly coiffed "news" personality, John Gibson, was waxing poetic (he thought) about Russert. Paraphrasing: Gibson noted the liberal Russert's humble origins in Buffalo, and that though he was liberal, he had been raised in an atmosphere of conservative values -- family, faith and patriotism. So, despite being liberal, he wasn't a bad guy.

Add a little blue dye to Gibson's hair and I swear he would be the Chuch Lady.

Sidenote: Saw this in Wiki from Rush Limbaugh regarding Russert's death.

Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, a friend of the late journalist, posted a statement on his website, writing, "It's just a shame. Tim was a regular guy with that perpetual smile he wore naturally all the time. He loved life and got everything he could out of it. Whether it was at dinner here in Florida while his son was taking golf lessons, or on the set of Meet The Press, Tim was always the same with me: genuine. He never condescended to anyone and was the consummate professional. He will be hard to replace. He was the closest thing there was at any of the networks to an objective journalist."

Presumably including Faux News.

Here Comes the Rain Again

So much for the garden that my wife and I spent hours tilling, building garden beds and a fence, planting and weeding. The rainfalls have completely covered them ... half of the backyard is covered in water, some places at least 18 inches deep.

I would like to thank the Brookfield Department of Engineering for the screwup job they did with the culvert that runs along the side of the yard. The ditch at the end has filled with debris and will not allow water to flow into the creek. Consequently the water from the entire neighborhood is finding a home in our backyard.

Time for a martini or two.

Leaving Adolescence Behind?

There are those who have referred to blacks voting in overwhelming numbers for Barack Obama has evidence of bigotry. Small-mindedness aside, Kwabena Sam-Brew, a 38-year-old immigrant from Ghana would disagree:

"Tonight is the night that all Americans became one."

Indeed, this primary season has been a remarkable one. First, a former POW of the Vietnam War, Senator John McCain, captured the Republican nomination. Say what you will about his politics, it's refreshing to have someone from that era who actually served ascend to having a shot at the presidency.

Senator Hillary Clinton's run for the Demcratic nomination has been remarkable, too. She came within a whisker of capturing that nomination. Her fight has brought renewed hope to women that some day a female will actually take the reins of power.

And, what more can be said about Senator Obama's successful bid for the Democratic nomination? Wilhelmina Brown, I think, said it well:

“Not that we’re so distraught, but our children need to be able to see a black adult as a leader for the country, so they can know we can reach for those same goals. We don’t need to give up at a certain level.”

I believe this ... America grew up just a bit.

You Must Be Joking

Provided for your viewing pleasure is the John McCain speech from last night, painful as it was.



I would like to nominate the following comment from the Economist about the speech for “Best Election Season Line.” I'm still smiling.

Ok, I lied, there's one surprise. The terryifying death rictus grin-and-snicker after every joke line. I don't know whether Americans are ready to vote for Mr McCain, but I am prepared to pay him one million dollars not to release deadly Smilex gas over the New Year's Eve crowd at midnight.

Tell me you've never wondered about the fake smile thing McCain has going? One wonders if he really means what he says.

How to be a Wingnut

This is too funny. Read over at Pundit Nation that “the vast right-wing conspricacy” is recruiting. Laughably, it is being sponsored by Americans for Posterity. You know, that angry white male group that never seems to get enough to eat.

I've heard through the grapevine that some of the topics will include ...

• How to make ludicrous claims about professional baseball personnel decisions.
• How to turn name-calling into a mind-numbing, repetitious art form.
• How to smear with a smile.
• Who needs those pesky grammar rules? And, lern to spel with Chris.
• Learn to hide your bigotry with words like them, they and those people.
  

In addition to free beverages and food, you will receive a free subscription to “Talking Points,” the secret communications of the conservative movement that teaches you how not to think for yourself.

Jigsaw Puzzle

Follow the link to a moving jigsaw puzzle. Hint: Separate the pieces first.

Happy Anniversary

Today marks the 20th anniversary of my wife's hiring by Northwestern Mutual. She looked spectacular this morning as she, of course, made sure she looked her best for this very proud moment. I'm very proud of her as well.

And, only 16 days to go before our wedding anniversary. So, I think, another song is called for.

Happy anniversary, beloved.

New Neighbors

We were not aware that a "For Rent" sign had been put up on our property.

A couple of robins have moved into the arbor vitae next to our patio, built a nest and have been raising a small family for the past week or so. I was able to take this picture between feeding runs by the doting parents. For a while I thought my shutterbug ambitions had caused the parents to abandon the nest, but happily they were soon back regurgitating worm food for their hungry youngsters. [click on the image to enlarge]