Welcome, Gavin

Today my lovely wife Alison gave birth to our new son, Gavin. I'm very excited to get to know him.

Welcome, David

Amy and Nick welcomed their son, David, into the world yesterday morning. I'd like to offer my congratulations to all three members of the family and extend my welcome to little David.

Happy Birthday, Nikola

Today would be the 153rd birthday of Nikola Tesla, an all-around genius and one of the titans of electrical engineering.

Ripe, Old, Aged

Today is Newton's third birthday. I'd like to congratulate him for reaching such a ripe old age and thank him for bringing such joy to our little family.

Welcome, Lucas

Michelle and Bill delivered their first child, Lucas Corey into the world this evening at 7:16. Welcome to the wide world, Lucas. I hope you enjoy your stay.

HBA

Happy birthday, Alison!

Happy Birthday, Enzo

Enzo Ferrari was born 111 years ago, yesterday.  As you can probably guess, he founded he automaker bearing his surname.  What you may not realize is that he founded the manufacturer after his establishing his racing team, Scuderia Ferrari, and did so strictly to fund the racing effort. 

Happy Birthday, Darwin

Today is the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth.  It's impossible to overstate Darwin's contribution to modern biology.  Happy birthday, Chuckie D.

Happy Birthday, Miata

20 years ago this week, at the Chicago Auto Show, Mazda unveiled its newest design, a car that recalled the elemental British roadster but that also promised to start every time you turned the ky.  The car was named the MX-5 Miata.  The Miata---called just the MX-5 in Europe and the Roadster in Japan---was praised by critics and sold in numbers hotcakes would have envied.  After 20 years and 2 redesigns, the car has continued to receive awards from journalists and praise from enthusiasts, and it has been a strong seller and marketing icon for the small Hiroshima-based manufacturer.  Indeed, over 800,000 of these cars have been sold, making the MX-5/Miata/Roadster the best-selling 2-seat convertible ever.   The critical and sales success of the MX-5 was a huge boon to Mazda is partially responsible for the company's sporty image and comparative financial strength today.

To celebrate the Miata's 20th birthday---and to market all of its vehicles---Mazda threw a party today, at the Chicago Auto Show, the very show where the car debuted.  Featured at the party were several notable and interesting Miatas from the past 2 decades.  Also, sushi and beer.

Happy Birthday, Mickey

Today is my mother's birthday.  So, happy birthday Mom!  I hope you have a good one.

Muzzle Puff! Today You are a Dog.

Today is the second anniversary of Newton's birth. Yep, he's all grown up now. I feel like I should throw him a bark mitzvah: "Newton, today you are a dog. Muzzle puff!"

We've had the fluffy little guy in our home for most of his life, and he's firmly a part of the family. On the rare occasions when I come home, and he's not there, because Alison has taken him for a walk or to play with the neighbors, I find the apartment eerily still. I miss him when I go on trips, too.

Not surprisingly, I don't believe in astrology. However, I was amused to discover, last night, that Newton's Chinese zodiacal sign is the dog. Hah!

Welcome Kai

Jennifer and Clay welcomed their first child, a boy named Kai Jacob, into the world last night. I'd like to extend my congratulations to all three of them.

Happy Michaelmas, Everyone!

This year's Michaelmas has, so far, gone much better than last year's. Being deathly ill has a way of ruining one's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Mickey

Yesterday was my mother's birthday. So, happy birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Newton

Today is the first anniversary of Newton's birth. That's right, Newton is one year old today. Since dogs mature so quickly, perhaps we should throw him a bark mitzvah and say, "Muzzle puff, today you are a dog."

The Purse Museum

So, every time I go to the mall, I have to visit the purse museum. A museum? At the mall? Dedicated to, what, the history of purses? Um, no, not exactly. That's just what I call the Coach store...because I just go visit the pretty things in there. It's not like I can actually BUY anything there...and it's all displayed so nicely with pretty lighting and such. See?


It kinda does look like a museum, doesn't it? Isn't that a clever name for the store? It sums up the niceness of it AND pokes fun at myself for my frugal spending habits. Haha! Clever! Catchy! I have to change it!

Why? Because I have the world's most awesome husband who, for my 30th birthday (can you believe I'm 30? me neither) bought me a COACH PURSE. Not just any Coach purse, but the one I have been stalking for, like, 3 years. This one:


I love it. Thank you, Michael!

Welcome Lillian

Megan gave birth to her first child, a girl named Lillian Rose, this Monday. So congratulations to Megan, Jason, and Lilly.

Welcome Matthew

Lindsay, the wife of Michael F., gave birth to their second child, a boy named Matthew Isaac, a couple of weeks ago. So congratulations to all three of them!

Happy Birthday, Dear Chuck

Today is my father's birthday. So, happy birthday, Dad!

A Festivus for the Rest of Us

It appears, from this article, that Festivus is starting to take off.

Festivus, it turns out, was not invented in 1997 by the Seinfeld writing staff. In fact, it was created way back in 1966 by the father of a future screenwriter on the series. All the features of the holiday other than the Festivus pole---the feats of strength, the airing of grievances---were part of his family's annual tradition. Now, the holiday is starting to grow in popularity, due principally to its anti-commercial message---no gifts are exchanged at Festivus, and little decoration is needed---and sales of Festivus poles are climbing.

Perhaps Festivus will replace the Winter Solstice as my second favorite winter holiday. (Michaelmas will remain my favorite, of course.)