Norm (of the infamous vickyandnorm clan), defends his Ph.D. thesis tomorrow, and then graduates from UConn on Saturday.

Not to belittle the professions (doctors, dentists, and lawyers), but a Ph.D. is the highest academic agree awarded for original research. (True, M.D.s spend years in school, but it is technical training, and usually does not involve original research.) We've already got one Ph.D in the group, Doctor rmstraus, and I am exceedingly eager to welcome our second, when this weekend, Norm will officially change his first name from "Norm" to "Doctor Norm".

I must be perfectly honest and admit that I am fearfully envious of both Norm and Ryane. I have often dreamed about going back to school and getting a Ph.D. in some subject that fascinates me. Alas, there are too many subjects to choose from (astronomy, computer science, history, and physics to name just a few), and too little time. And besides, I have grown use to my lifestyle and it would be incredibly difficult to change things now. I've had some achievements of which I have been proud (graduating from college, getting my pilot's license, selling a science fiction story) but getting a Ph.D. makes these achievements pale in comparison in my mind. I am exceedingly lucky to have such hyper-talented friends and I am thrilled for Norm and I wish him the best of luck on his defense tomorrow, although I'm certain he doesn't need it.

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to stubiebrother, who celebrates a milestone birthday today. Propriety prevents me from saying just how old Jason is turning. In any case:

Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!

As I said yesterday, April is birthday month, so a very big HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to he11o_sunshine, who today celebrates the beginning of the end of her 20s. I hope you have a great day (the weather should certainly be good for you)!

A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to kevnyc. April is packed with birthday's of friends of mine and Kevin's birthday leads the pack. Hope you have a great day!

Saturday began early for I was anxious to see everyone and wanted to get an early start. Kelly and I had gone to bed around midnight and I was up at 6:40 AM. I showered and then headed downstairs to sit on the couch and read until everyone else woke up. Kelly was up early too, and so we waited for vickyandnorm (Norm and Vicky) and kruppenheimer (Lisa) to awaken and get ready. It didn't take too long but it seemed as though it took forever. However, we were ready to go by 9 AM, which is what I was hoping for, and at that point, we hit the road.

( How's this for a great day... )

To be continued...

Happy April Fools' Day everyone! I was tempted to post that the Rainbow Room Birthday Bash had been canceled, but I was afraid I'd freak out too many people and so I've forgone having my fun in order that you all maintain your sanity.

I've already had a busy morning at work, developing some reports with SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services). Later today there is a paper airplane contest here, but I'm not sure I'm going to have time to make it. I was thinking about spending some of my lunchtime on the novel outline. Remember, I'd like to have my 44 sentences (or so) done today. I'm also eager to do more work on my story, "If By Reason of Strength..." and I may try for some wordage there, too.

Several bills due today, none of which I had to remember to pay because they were all paid automatically through my BillPay service. I've been using the service for years, but just last month, switched to have it pay bills automatically. Very convenient. Saves time.

It's rainy and overcast here today, as April should be, I suppose. But warm. Temperatures will be up around 70 degrees.

Yesterday, Kelly told me that my "big" birthday present was schedule to arrive today. "Big" was not an exaggeration. When we got back from a fun happy hour at Sine, the big package had arrived and was sitting in Kelly's apartment, waiting for me to open it.

It wasn't wrapped, it was simply too big to be wrapped, so I had no choice but to open the box and see what was inside.

( When I opened the box, I couldn't believe what was inside... )

Did I say this birthday present was out of this world?

Kelly and I met up after work yesterday and drove into Old Town Alexandria. The skies were overcast, but the weather was springlike, and we spent 45 minutes or so wandering about the streets of Old Town, popping in and out of little shops (including a cute little Irish shop) before heading over the the restaurant for dinner.

We had reservations at the Chart House Restaurant. Kelly managed to wrangle us a window by the water, and we spent much of our time commenting on the behavior of the 12 and 13 years old pooling around outside, waiting to board a boat for a dinner cruise.

It was a very good dinner. We started with an appetizer called a Crab, Avocado and Mango Stack
Jumbo, which was essentially lump crab meat tossed in remoulade over layers of fresh avocado and mango. I also had some clam chowder, and we both ordered fish dinners which were excellent. They have a famous lava cake dessert there, which must be ordered 30 minutes in advance, but we had dessert waiting at home. In fact, Kelly had made 36 chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting (how well she knows me!) They were moist and delicious. I have four of them with me here at work today.

And to top it all off, Kelly got her hair cut and I love the new length and style. I couldn't stop looking at it throughout the evening.

She got me a book that I've been wanting, as well as an excellent Dr. Seuss birthday card. She got me something else, too, which is supposed to arrive via UPS today. I guess I'll find out what it is later this evening.

I received phone calls from vickyandnorm and A.J. and Denisse, and stubiebrother last night. I also had a birthday voice-mail message from mabfan.

It was a wonderful evening, and a very happy birthday.

I turned 36 today and some people thing that represents growing "old". I'm not sure I buy it. My Grandpa used to say, "Books get old, newspapers get old, magazines get old. People age. He was always annoyed that people asked, "How old are you?" To him, it was a pejorative term. Of the languages with which I am familiar, English is the only one that phrases the question quite this way. Spanish and Italian certainly ask, "What is your age?" (Or, literally, "How many years do you have?")

I agree with my Grandpa that "old" can be a pejorative term. We age. And in doing so (one hopes), we grow wiser. It would be nice if instead of patting your buddy on the back and saying, "How's it feel to be a year older?" people who ask, "How's it feel to be a year wiser?" It might not always be true, but it sounds nicer.

There is, however, one benefit to being "old" that my Grandpa never seemed to point out. The "older" you get the longer you've know your good friends. I am particularly lucky to have so many good friends who I have known for a long time now. Think I heard from just about all of them this morning. So thank you!

For the last 13 years, April is "Isaac Asimov" month for me. Each April, I re-read all three of Asimov's autobiographies, beginning with his retrospective memoir, I. Asimov, and following that up with his 640,000 word, 2-volume autobiography from 1979-80, In Memory Yet Green and In Joy Still Felt.

Having just finished up Factoring Humanity, and there being only a few days left before April is here, I got started this morning on my 15th reading of I. Asimov. I know that this is strange behavior. But I don't care. I look forward to this every year. It's the beginning of spring for me, and since in past times, it was spring and not not winter that symbolized the beginning of the new year, I kind of think of April as my personal "new year". I have the three books virtually memorized by now, but I never get bored by them. I was lost in the first few chapters of I. Asimov on the train into work this morning, almost as if I were reading it for the first time.

Asimov's writing style in his autobiographies--as it was in most of his non-fiction--is so clear, so informal, that it almost feels like he's sitting with you in the room, just chatting, telling stories of the old days, and I never get tired of that. Although I never had the opportunity to meet him in person, I have heard his voice in numerous recordings and videos and when I read the books, I hear his Brooklynese in my head, and it's like he's talking to me.

More than any other writer, it was Isaac Asimov whose writing had the biggest influence on my own. It was reading about how he became a writer that made me think I could be one too. Now that I am a writer--albeit a small-time science fiction writer--I am forever grateful to whatever fortune it was that allowed me to discover Asimov's books. If I had never read Asimov, I'm pretty sure I would have never tried to become a writer, let along sell a single story.

In a similar vain, it was Isaac Asimov who renewed my interest in science, in history, and in learning of any kind. Back in 1996 or so, when I was seeing many of my friends go on to get advanced degrees, it seemed to me that I didn't have the time or energy to do that same thing myself. Besides, my science background, though adequate, would not have allowed me to pursue advanced degrees. And there was my job, too. At that time, having read I. Asimov a few times, I knew about his long-running series of science columns in F&SF. Slowly, I acquired all of the books in which these essays are reproduced (there's something like 40 books, with 17 essays in each!) and slowly, I made my way through them, fascinated. When I finished, several years later, I felt that I had learned science in a way that I would have never learned it in school. Not only did I understand a broad range of scientific concepts and ideas, but I had a strong sense of the history of it all--of its interconnectedness. I have been reading science and history and just about any kind of non-fiction I can ever since.

My parents taught me to love books and for that I am forever grateful. Isaac Asimov, though I never met him, taught me to write, and he taught me to love to learn new things. I feel a Grandfatherly fondness for him, and it's why he is and always will be my favorite writer.

Just wanted to wish a quick HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY to vickyandnorm. It's hard to believe that a year ago today we were all in Dinsey World and you guys were getting married.

Congratulations and many more to come!

8 years ago today, my cat, Zeke, made his way into my home and life. He was just a kitten, 4 months old. We adopted him from Kitten Rescue in L.A. Wandering through the Northridge Fashion Center, there he was sitting in his food dish, shivering. Everyone ignored him for more lively kittens. We passed him by once. On the way back from shopping, he was still there, still being ignored. We couldn't pass him up a second time. According to my diary from that day:

We have a new member of the family--a gray, medium-haired male kitten that we have named Ezekiel (Zeke for short). We adopted him from the Kitten Rescue foundation at the Northridge Mall. We just couldn't resist him! It was a $75 donation, plus $5 for the pet carrier. He's scared and hiding but we're trying to make him comfortable. He was born on 11/28/99, has all his shots and tests and has been fixed. He's got white "socks" but is otherwise a beautiful, soft gray.

He's come a long way since that day. There were some rough patches back in 2004 when he was gravely ill, but he got through it and has been fine ever since. He's gotten less skittish over the years. He's still likes to play fetch, he's still active, and he still keeps me company when I'm otherwise home alone.

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to mabfan today. Hope you have a super birthday.

A big happy birthday goes out to Dan today! One of my few friends who is actually older than me (though only by about a month). Happy birthday, buddy. I hope you can manage to get in some good surfing today!

Kelly and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day together today. We had dinner at Ruth's Chris near gallery place, and as usual, their filet was excellent. Kelly had their tuna, which looked delicious as well. And we shared creme brule for dessert.

Kelly got me a first edition of The Best Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov. Does she know me well, or what? I had a much more difficult time deciding what to get for her. I finally settled on a two-part gift. Part 1 was a gift certificate to her favorite store in the whole world, Banana Republic, so that she could buy something to wear for Part 2. Part 2 is a Memorial Day weekend romantic getaway at The Homestead resort in western Virginia. We're staying there 2 nights and breakfast and dinner is included. We are very excited about it.

Really, it was just a great day and it went by too quickly. I head to Boston tomorrow for Boskone. Kelly was invited to come with me, but decided to spend the weekend with her friends instead.

Okay, actually, she decided that there really wouldn't be much for her to do at the "nerd convention", as she lovingly refers to it.

But she'll be at my place on Sunday when I get home.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

It's on days like this, when I reach the frantic apogee of work hours and stress, that I am envious of people who don't have to put up with it all any more. And so it happens that Dad is now one of those people. Yesterday was he last day on the job. He is now officially retired.

Me, I'm just tired.

Congratulations, Dad!

Reservations have officially been made for the third annual Rainbow Room birthday bash. This year we're going to have a total of 14 people! (Last year we had 8 and the year before 5.) Among the attendees this year (including me and ke1lynn) are: A.J. and Denisse; Doug and Rachel, coming all the way from Seattle; kruppenheimer, coming in from Los Angeles; vickyandnorm; strausmouse and rmstraus; and from the city, he11o_sunshine, stubiebrother, and kevncy.

I made reservations for Saturday, April 5 at 8:30 PM. As usual, we'll meet for drinks beforehand. They were supposed to fax me a form to fill out because there are so many people and I have to put a deposit down for the reservation. That hasn't come yet, but regardless, I was told that my reservation is confirmed.

I'm really looking forward to the get together this year. It will be great to be able to spend an evening with all my good friends and family. It will be especially nice to have Doug and Rachel there, to have Lisa come in from L.A., and to have Eric and Ryane this time around.

Last year's bash was a lot of fun, as was the smaller bash in 2006.

I had to work today, but it was a relatively quiet day at work. We were let out at about 3 PM, but I waited around for Kelly. We picked up a few more items at the grocery store and then headed home. AJ and Denisse were coming over later in the evening.

I made a dip from a recipe that Vicky (of vickyandnorm) gave me. It was a dip she's made twice and that I really enjoyed. It came out alright, but it was more like a cheese spread than a dip. Still, people seemed to like it. I was hungry so I also made some macaroni and cheese while Kelly napped for a little while. After eating, it was my turn to nap for a while (I'd been up since 4:20 AM) I slept for about 45 minutes or so.

At 8:15, I headed over to the Metro station to pick up AJ and Denisse. We had ordered pizza, and by the time we got back home, the pizza was there. Denisse made guacamole and also a Peruvian drink that was quite good. We spent the rest of the evening, snacking, talking, listening to music, drinking, and watching TV. It was a lot of fun. We ran in the New Year watching the ball drop from Times Square, and toasting with Champagne. It was sometime around 2AM when we finally got to bed.

Yes, that's right, at long last it is strausmouse's birthday. Gee, I wonder if Eric will be the first to wish himself a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Hope you have a great day, bud.

So this morning, Kelly gave me my Christmas present because she didn't want to have to bring it down to Florida on the plane. It's a totally amazing Kenneth Cole "Reaction" brown leather jacket. I mean it is really cool. I love it. Wore it all day long today. I didn't have time to take a picture but as soon as I do, I'll post one.