Why my wife is better than yours...

September 14th was my anniversary. Four years of marriage after one year dating. It has NOT been smooth sailing or non-stop bliss. We have a teenager in the house. We sometimes fight about money. Less so after a couple of raises. But even still...

I am, however, fiercely loyal to her, and still madly in love with, and quite attracted to her. And having just moved ($$$$$) into a cozy two bedroom far from her parents in the Mira Loma subdivision of Riverside, we were going low key for the anniversary.

A little bit of history. I've had a disappointing year. I never really complained about it. It's just the facts. So far this year we have budgeted (as in "yes, we WILL do this.) ; my Seaworld annual passes, my new MacBook laptop, my new tube amplifier (twice)and my new hollow body guitar (twice). I also spent the all the cash I got for my birthday and from selling a fair amount of gear, which was supposed to go to the above items, on the household "general fund". Again, I'm not trying to sanctify myself. You're a man, you build a family, you do this stuff. 'Nuff said. And my beautiful, if bought older and used, 3G iPod just up and dies on me. I mention it in passing to my wife as, when we get settled in the new place, I'd like to send it out and see if it can be repaired.

So, my wife awakes to the alarm with me on our anniversary. She says "Happy Anniversary" and hands me a box of Mike & Ike's. The big box. I'm thrilled, because I have a real thing for fruit flavored, chewy candy, and she knows it. Good times. Then she hands me a box wrapped in a bandana and starts reminding me of every bad thing that has happened this year, which I find the timing quite odd.

So, you've probably already guessed I unwrapped a brand new iPod, 30 gig with video. Expertly hidden from my keen eye, it's a total surprise. How can we afford it? Well, 6 months interest free sure helps. I'll throw up a future post on the iPod it's self. This post is all about how wonderful my wife is. Not because she got me a cool toy. But because she sees what I do for the family and she appreciates it. That right there makes me feel better than any material gift I could ever get.
.... I STILL didn't share the Mike & Ike's.
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And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online:The Platypus Portal

Sailor Pluto kicked out of the Sailor Senshi

Moon Kingdom - Shortly following the International Astronomical Union's 26th General Assembly in Prague, where astronomers decided that Pluto no longer qualified as a planet, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom removed Setsuna Meioh, aka Sailor Pluto, from the senshi and the court of the Moon Kingdom, and demanded the return of the Pluto Crystal Power. Said Serenity, "It's unfortunate, but we certainly cannot be granting the status of 'Sailor Senshi' to the representatives of any dwarf planet that comes along. This is really about the precedent." When asked about Pluto's relation to the timeless Moon Kingdom, Princess Serenity replied "Talk to the IAU."

Setsuna Meioh made a statement through her publicist, "We are deeply disappointed with the decision to remove Pluto from the Sailor Senshi, we believe it is a mistake that will have long lasting repercussions through out the Moon Kingdom. We are filing an appeal of the decision with Queen Serenity."

Having had control over both time and death, Sailor Pluto was a stern and powerful Senshi. She will be permitted to use her power of time to continue to frequent the Moon Kingdom anytime before August of 2006.

... and how geeky is that?
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And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Design

Moving Hell

Starting Friday, September 1st I entered moving hell. I knew well this particular hell, because it's approximately the 16th time I've moved in the last 12 years. Now, a lot of that was hustling about the college dorm building, but that didn't make it easy.

Thank God that my brother-in-law stopped by to help or else that fridge might STILL be there. Help was pretty slim this time out. Anyway, we are in the unpacking phase now, and I just got my internet back, which means I had to download and toss out a week's worth of pr0n spam. And man, are there a lot of Viagra salesmen out there. Amazing how they keep misspelling the name of their product.

The new place is a little smaller but so much nicer. I now live in a quiet neighborhood in the Mira Loma section of Riverside, CA. Still Hot. Still Smoggy. But quieter with less traffic and 15 minutes closer to work. Which is how you REALLY measure the worth of your place these days.

Also, I have a laundry room in the house. Not outside. Not down stairs. I don't have to share. It's all mine. And a dishwasher. Which is perfect for me, because what a dishwasher allows you to do is do a really crappy job of washing your dishes (basically rinsing) and then the machine picks up your slack. Yes, I hate doing dishes enough that that is appealing to me.

Well, I have much to do. I'm tired, and miles to go before I sleep.
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And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Design