Stuff from Terry's 50th Birthday and Some Other Whoozypootz

[This was writen around Christmas, 2009, but I didn't post it then. It aged well, like fine wine or stinky cheese, so I published it.]

Goodness, it's been a while since I've done an entry. But what better way to while away a Friday evening that to get boiled on the leftover wine from Terry's birthday party and show off in print?

The party was a big success, which just goes to prove that no matter how geeky you are, you can be a social success if you throw a lot of money at a caterer and have an open bar.

The best part was having Terry's birth father and her adoptive father in the same room for the first time ever. I was married to Stan, her birth father, for 5 months 49 years ago and quickly lost touch. I was married to Rich, the man who raised her, for almost 22 years. As I observed them both from across the room, I had the stunning revelation that I'd married the same person two times! Very nice, social, friendly. Not like me at all. They are sweet, I am salty. I'm glad I knew them.

Christmas was loads of fun, but how can you help it if you have Wii, bar-sized air hockey, and lots of intelligent and amusing relatives. Mine bring food, otherwise we'd all starve.

In September, Ben moved to Las Vegas with his girlfriend and Liv went off to college in Washington, D.C. (Please send donations; her father bailed on paying her tuition). Ben is working at Toys Or Else and finding himself. Liv is going to American University and learning how to save the world. They are both doing great and came home for Christmas, admitting they miss the strange and wonderful family that spawned them.

[Handy hint: Japanese plum wine mixes quite nicely with Pinot Grigio.]

I am going down the home stretch of my training as a Religious Science Practitioner (see the Wednesday, November 5, 2009, post on that topic). I love what I do and it seems to be making me over. I hope I don't lose the saltiness, though. There's got to be a way to be funny and holy at the same time.

All in all, 2009 was a good year and 2010 looks to be the same, only better.