Obligatory B-Day Post

January 5th, 1968...a red letter day in science. That's the day I came up with the Flux Capacitor!!!

O.k., not really....

In reality, it's the day I bounced into this world as a 9lb 13oz bundle of fat cheeks and huge cranium.

Between New Year's and my birthday, I always get a bit reflective on my life. The good times, the bad, regrets, future plans, short term goals, etc.

Like I said in my previous post, I've been blessed...no doubt about it.

But...

 I want to do more. I want to be more. Whether it's a new job, going back to school, or both, I'm not sure yet. I just know there's something better on the horizon and I plan on grabbing it.

It's never too late.

Maybe I can put that huge cranium of mine to work as something other than a hat rack?

We'll see.

I'll update you next year =)

It Was 47 Years Ago, Today.....

Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play....

O.k, maybe not...

Anyway, on this day, 47 years ago, I came into this world a bouncing bundle of huge cranium, fat cheeks, and small feet. 

My feet and cheeks have proportioned themselves, though I still sport the big cranium.

Being only ten days after Christmas, my birthday has never been a big 'to-do' in my life. When I was a kid, I'd get a cake and a few presents, not much fanfare. I guess my parents started feeling a little guilty as I grew into a teen, because my mom (every year, without fail) would ask if I wanted a party. Which, for the record, I never did.

As I matured (somewhat) into adulthood, it became a time to gather with friends, eat, celebrate hanging in there another year, and stuff like that.

These days, it's about spending it with my wife. We've been together about six years and they've been six of the best in my life. Coming from a guy who, at 40 years old, was resigned to living a bachelor's life for the rest of his days, that's a pretty amazing statement. 

Not that I ever had anything against marriage, I just didn't think it was for me. I didn't think I was giving enough when, come to find out, I'm way more giving than I gave myself credit for. Now, before I blow my horn too loudly, I'll admit....I need some a bit of work. O.k, lots of work.

I'm getting there, though. 

The evening was spent having a relaxing dinner with some of my new, extended, family then back home for my only, official, birthday request. 

I wanted my wife to make me an out of the box Devil's Food cake. 

Which she did. And it was deeelicious!

Oh, those squiggly marks on the right side? I was told they were bats.

Yes....bats.

"She may not look like much, kid..."

My gifts from the wife were presented, thusly....

It's great to have found someone who doesn't mind indulging my whimsical side.

I thought this post was going to be more about reflecting on my past 47 years but, the more I think about it, the more I'm just going to wish for another 47 just like the past six.

Blows out the candles....

The day after....

Last year I did a "Post Birthday" blog entry over on my general purposes blog. This year, I'm doing it over here...mainly to prove to you all that I am writing! :P

Anywho....yesterday, the fifth of January, was my birthday. No fanfare was expected (being so close to Christmas and all), though I was pleasantly surprised at all the birthday wishes I got from my Google Plus pals and Facebook friends. I turned the "big" 4-5. I figure that, these days, that's about middle aged......right??

Much to my wife's chagrin, I wanted to just spend a quiet day at home.

No visitors. No family. No friends. No real reason for it save that we've been doing an awful lot of running around, of late (granted, with good reason), and I just wanted to hang around the house.

We did venture out to go see the newest James Bond flick, Skyfall, so it wasn't a complete day of being a hermit.

For my birthday dinner, my wife made some of the best lasagna I've ever tasted. Hands down. She totally outdid herself and I was glad I had the chance to hoard it all :) On the other hand, she made the most jacked up looking cake I think I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, take a look for yourself, below....

Not that it really mattered, it still tasted awesome and that's all that matters to me.

A lot of times, on my birthday, I think about the past year(s) and wonder where I'm heading. This year was less about reflecting and more about just being thankful.

I have a great wife, family and extended family, some good friends (even though they're 1,000 miles away....literally), and live fairly comfortably. Do I have everything I want. No, of course not....there's still that little matter of jet-packs I was promised we'd have here in the future....but, on that score, I'd be willing to wait for a flying Delorean.

Anyway, I'd still like to do something with writing, maybe drawing. Making a living from it would be just icing on the cake. I say that knowing you'll never be able to get the images of my birthday cake from your mind :D

Last year was a good one and I think the upcoming one is going to be even better.

Tune in Jan. 6th, 2014 to see just how so......