I think everyone who has a cat has one of these pictures:
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We had an absolutely wonderful weekend in Cincinnati. The wedding, as I said before, was marvelous. Heather was beautiful and radiant, as all brides are supposed to be, and Andy was handsome, but then I’ve always thought that he looks good in a tux. I loved Mary’s outfit—her sisters had brought her a shawl from Spain—absolutely beautiful. And I finally got to meet Andy’s aunts, although we couldn’t understand a word we said to each other, since we lacked a common language, but they were very nice.

I danced a lot: with the groom, with all the groomsmen: Daniel, Tony, Oz, and Nathan. Funny thing was that Daniel, Tony, and Oz all cursed me soundly when I drug them out onto the floor (Daniel even insisted several times that he definitely hated me) but by the end of the evening Daniel and Tony were dancing to everything, and even Oz was out on the floor a couple more times. Of course the several bottles of champagne might have had something to do with that (I believe the aunts brought the bottles with them from Spain, and both Andy and Daniel love the stuff.) Heather and I even drug Andy’s dad out onto the dance floor, which was quite an accomplishment, since he also insisted that he absolutely was not going to dance.

The food was excellent, despite the fact that everything was running late due to traffic being backed up due to an accident. The wine was also apparently very good, since Michael drank at least a bottle and a half of it (I had half a glass of champagne for the toasts, and then stuck to soda and water for the rest of the evening. Which is good, because otherwise Susan might have had to drive.

And Brian (yes, even my brother and Stacie were there) and I were the cause of Andy getting a “Those are YOUR friends!” comment, as we kept banging the silverware against the wine glasses till they kissed. And a couple of times we refused to stop until they gave each other a real kiss. I have to say that Heather’s exasperated look was priceless. I’m thinking, however, that she did forgive me.

Also, I learned about a tradition that I’d like to know more about if anyone can provide anymore information. Mary said that in Spain, the couple’s godparents essentially take the place of the best man and the maid of honor. Susan said she had seen that at a Catholic wedding for a couple from South (or was it Central?) America, and thought it was a Catholic tradition, but I’ve never heard like that before, so my guess it is a Spanish tradition that moved to the new world, but I’d really love to know more about it. (I’m pretty certain it’s not a tradition in Lithuanian or Polish Catholic traditions, but I’ll ask my grandmother anyway.) I learned this because Mary told her sisters that in my wedding Andy was my “Godmother” which is rather amusing to say the least.

Mostly though, I was just so happy to be there, to see Andy get married, and to see them so happy together.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jacobs!
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It’s a week of ends and beginnings.

In the past week two friends lost family members. Kim’s grandmother died last weekend, and Del’s mother died yesterday.

In both cases, it was hard, knowing that a friend was suffering, and there was nothing I could do.

But this week is also a week of beginnings, as Andy (finally) gets married. (Yeah, I find it hard to believe as well!) The wedding is today, and hopefully I’ll remember to take lots of pictures, so there’s proof that it actually happened!

Seriously though, Heather is a wonderful woman, I think they’re wonderful together, and I’m glad they found each other.

My relaxation this past week has been the incredibly geeky activity of watching Deep Space Nine episodes on DVD. It allows me to veg out, but since most episodes are less than an hour, it doesn’t have to take large chunks of time.

Michael and I watched all seven seasons of DS9 this spring, but we went through them in one mad rush. Right now I’m skipping the episodes I don’t particularly care for (anything in an alternate reality), so I’m really enjoying what I’m watching. I decided that The Visitor is one of the top ten best DS9 episodes. Avery Brooks and Cirroc Lofton, especially as the series progresses, have a very believable father son relationship, so for me that episode is particularly wrenching, as I’ve been personally contemplating loss.

Another favorite episode is Explorers, and I really wish they had been two episodes instead of one, since parts of it, especially Sisko building the ship, seem rushed. But it’s still good despite that, and I think the ship he builds is fascinating.

And then there are the episodes with Garak; he is absolutely one of my favorite characters, although I have to wonder whether I’d like him if I met him in person. I think he’s at his best in episodes like “Improbable Cause” and “The Die is Cast”, where we get to see his conflict over his exile as well as in his relationship with Tain.

And, there is always the fun of looking for the regulars when they play extras. Michael and I are constantly saying things like, “That Klingon over there—is that Jake?”

Yeah, we’re geeks, but it’s kinda fun.

Is to go drinking and dancing.

I shan’t, however, be doing either.

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day!

I have to admit that I’m rather fond of this pirate…
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So we just beat Maryland, 16-19 in overtime (sorry Grandmom) now I’m sitting on the porch with laptop and digital camera, stealing someone’s unsecured wireless connection, getting ready to watch stupid people. Since I already saw lots of pick-up trucks with beds full of drunks, it may take something special to qualify.

——————-

Hmmm…. Urban attack vehicle with feet sticking out rear window… Only interesting because the feet signified someone lying face down in the back seat. Guess they didn’t see too much of the game. (Traffic is moving quickly for now. It may be awhile before things back up all the way to my house.)

I’m also waiting to see if my parents stop by on their way home, since they have to walk right past our house.

————————

Oooh! Drunks sitting on an unsecured keg in a speeding pick-up. That might qualify.

I have to way that the weather today was perfect for a football game, even if I was home listening.Considering that yesterday the remains of hurricane Ivan were blowing through, it was a pleasant surprise. Not too hot, clear once the game started. Almost made me want to be at the game.

Almost.

————–

But the nicest thing about this day so far, is that because of the cool weather this morning, people are dressed in jeans and t-shirts and sweatshirts. Which means that I don’t see hundreds of people with rolls of fat hanging out over the tops of the short shorts and squeezed out under their too tight cropped tops.

What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor?

(More preparation for Talk Like a Pirate Day)

If you have not already seen it, check out this animation http://nigelanimation.com/gallery/animation/animation01.html.

You must have sound, though.
(via Prometheus 6)

No, really. Watch it. You’ll like it.
(Borderline safe for work. Animated flesh in abundance.)

Reagarding the assault weapons ban, I have only this to say:

“Guns don’t kill people. People don’t kill people. Bullets kill people.
But you can’t have a National Bullet Association, because the letters are already taken.”

(I leave it as an exercise to the reader to try and guess where I stand on the issue of gun control.)

LIFE IN ONE DAY
Howard Jones

The old man said to me
Said don’t always take life so seriously
Play the flute
And dance and sing your song

Try and enjoy the here and now
The future will take care of itself somehow
The grass is never greener over there
Time will wear away the stone
Gets the hereditary bone

CHORUS:
Don’t try to live your life in one day
Don’t go speed your time away
Don’t try to live your life in one day
Don’t go speed your time away

The old man said to me
Said you can’t change the world single handedly
Raise a glass enjoy the scenery
Pretend the water is champagne
And fill my glass again and again
While the wolves are gathering round your door

Happy Birthday Susan!

Just ten more days until Talk Like A Pirate Day!

In perparation, you may:
Find your pirate name (my pirate name is here and also here)
Read this thread at Making Light
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