Forbidden Planet

Today, Princess Tania turns 9.

Earlier this week (07-April-2008), Forbidden Planet became a 3 year old toddler. Over a period of 1101 days, I have managed 556 posts (including this one). Not as prolific as some bloggers, but I think averaging one post every two days isn't too bad. My ground rules for posting are pretty simple: no more than 1 post per day (I have broken this rule 3 times, I think) keep the posts concise. My fictitious goal is 3 paragraphs avoid repetition leave the reader with something to think about I hope the approach I take to blogging is similar to what Lister Sinclair expressed about the way he approached the production of Ideas : (paraphrase) "I assume the listener is intelligent and very knowledgeable in all subject matters, except the one I am presenting." I think I have been reasonably successful. Some of my favourite posts over the past 3 years (there is no rhyme or reason to their selection, except that they came quickly to mind and I like them): Evolution of a Peeve What ...

42. That is what I am today. According to Douglas Adam's trilogy in five parts The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy , 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything. I'm not too sure about that. Ford: "It's unpleasantly like being drunk." Arthur: "What's so unpleasant about being drunk?" Ford: "Ask a glass of water." - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Photo credit: Richard of Forbidden Planet.

Today is my mother's birthday. She would have been 64. She died 361 days ago. I went with the kids to church this morning to pray for her. The photo is of her when she was 19.

Today Sofia celebrates an indeterminate age (as she has for the last many years ;-) There are things I'd like to say to you my love on your special day: I am forever thankful God sent you my way. Like a gift from up above, you showed me how it is to feel real love. I know many mountains we've had to climb and sometimes forever has seemed like a very long time. Yes, we've endured our share of pain, but together we have so much to gain. Bigger mountains may lie ahead, but together there is no hill we can not tread. So always remember my love for you, and there is nothing together we can not do. I'll be here forever - my love is true. The person beside me, that would be you. Poem was nabbed from here . Photo credit: Richard at Forbidden Planet. Location is the Colca Canyon in Peru (1996) - hence copyright is mine.

Jason turns 6 today, making him about 50% older than in the photograph. And no, we do not get snow this early in October (the photo is from mid-December-2005). Photo credits: Richard of Forbidden Planet

Oops! For the first time in 10 years, I forgot that today is my goddaughter's birthday (it shouldn't be hard to remember, since it is the same day as my brother's). Any ideas on suitable gifts for a 10 year old girl?

I read that somewhere either last week or the week before. At first I dismissed it as some trite fluff masquerading as a deep thought, but ... (perhaps JJ's upcoming birthday is making me reflect on it a little more) ... it is growing on me. I can't remember the last time we wrapped a birthday gift. It gets stuffed in a bag and covered with a bit of coloured tissue paper. I am thinking I want to wrap Jason's gift in at least two layers, maybe more. (I think the quote comes from Crafty TV Writing: Thinking Inside the Box by Alex Epstein, but I am not about to reread the book to try and reference the quote.) Image nabbed from here .

Today is Tania's birthday and she is 8 years old. I still remember when she was born, when I held her in my arms. She is my princess and always will be, no matter how old we get. Picture is of Tania and two of her cousins. Photo credit: Richard of Forbidden Planet.

That photo was taken 20.5 years ago - half a lifetime ago. It was for my student photo ID - I was registering for my final year in Electrotechnology at Dawson College. How does it feel to be 41? How does it feel to be in my 5th decade of life? To be honest, no differently from what it felt like to be 40, or 30, or 20. I do not notice the years. In my heart, the years do not pass, yet, when I look in the mirror, I see a stranger - an older, heavier, tired man who bears some semblance to myself. I find it hard to perceive myself with my inner eye as older than 16 - even 12 or 13 are comfortable ages for me. But, my body does not agree with me and reminds me more and more of my age. My years of knowledge, experiences and encounters dull my enthusiasm and temper my optimism with realism (and perhaps cynicism). I wonder if there is any significance of the conjunction of the Chinese New Year of the Boar and my birthday this year? Photo credits: Richard of Forbidden Planet.