Photos from Heather's Birthday

Heather's birthday was in December, and we went to see Mayor Daley's tree to celebrate.  I "make" a cake each year for her (because it's the only thing she HAS to have on her birthday).  It's a cake mix, but she always likes it anyway.  And my foot got bloody.  Enjoy!

By the way, Happy New Year.

Free the Bedroom -- A Quick Rant about Bedtime

This post is primarily for couples (and anybody thinking about getting married some day).

I recently read an article about the Apple iPad that I only partly understood because I'm no tech guru.

The concept I did understand and which I reacted to was the author's statement -- "I loved [to] bring the Apple Air to bed to do my browsing..."  Here's my two cents.

Bedtime is for two things: sleep and sex.  And for married folks, both are equally important.  The bedroom is NOT a place to put an office (we learned that one the hard way).  The bedroom is NOT for work of any kind.  The bedroom is NOT for a television (a TV in the bedroom says a lot about your sex life).  And the bedroom is NOT for movie-watching.

The bedroom is for rest, peace, and alone time WITHOUT technology.  Learn to cultivate a sense of peace in your bedroom, and you'll sleep better and feel better.  Turn your bedroom into a home office, theater, or into just another place for a workaholic to browse the frickin' Internet, and you've got no place to take her when your best friend needs your undivided attention.

Step away from the computer and your so-called important "life" on the web and free yourself to truly enjoy the bedroom for the oasis it was meant to be.

Alice in Chains -- Black Gives Way to Awesome

In case you've been living under a rock for the last couple of years, I'm here to tell you that Alice in Chains has regrouped.  And far as I'm considered, they're easily as good as they once were.

Although I used to relate to a lot of the feelings Layne Staley had before his untimely death ("Sitting on an angry chair, angry walls that steal the air, stomach hurts and I don't care...I don't mind the air, I don't mind..."), there's a point when a guy's gotta say, "Enough already."  Insert the new Alice.

I could say a lot about the new lineup, as I've paid a lot of attention to the new band, but I don't have the time.  Suffice it to say, this album is completely worth the listen.  And if the new video doesn't wet your appetite, I don't know what will.  I can't embed it by request, so you'll need to click the link.

Cheers all,
The Educated Fool

Heather's Hair -- the Many Do's of Hurricane Hetta

It's been a little while since I've posted something here.  I've been super busy lately.  But I recently came upon some photos of Heather since we've met, showcasing her hair over the years.  Next August will be seven years that we eloped to Niagara Falls after having met just two months earlier.

2002 (one year before we met)

2003 (the day we eloped)

2004 (with Miles; longest hair yet at this point)

later in 2004 (shorter and permanently orange)

2005 (permanently pink)

later in 2005 (purple w/ short bangs; holding Eden, our niece)

2006 (blonde; with her sister, Stacy)

2007 (shortest, natural hair color)

2008 (with some guy)

2009 (funkkkkky!)

later in 2009 (the Joan Jett look)

present

So, what's your favorite?  I have a hard time choosing.  I liked all of them.