Robbie Gras 2008

Friends, compadres, well wishers, and true funk soldiers...

As many of you are well aware, the stars and planets have aligned to make it that Robbie Gras (my birthday) and Mardi Gras will both fall upon February 5 this year. The Krewe of Kahunah will be celebrating this rare event in style this year on the metarie parade route. Pops Kahunah and I are feverishly working on resurecting my beloved paper mache tiki god from the ashes just for the occasion, and the lovely Silverfox is woking on special "Krewe of Kahunah" medalions as well.

We will be eating, drinking and enjoying the wonders of mardi gras at Camp Kahunah, which will be located on the Veterans neutral ground across from houstons. We will have much food, drink and good times to offer any that wish to join us, but more food, drink and good times are always welcome.

All who read these words are invited to attend, and we hope to see you there. Please RSVP with either me or Silverfox.

Dad in his element

Dad is in town for a few days. Rather than hit the french quarter, we hit a muddy rail yard. That's dad for ya.

Adventures in parenting...

From the Big Book of parental lessons, Volume 1... Why you should never give your child a cardboard mailing tube:

Pint Size had endless fun wacking me with it over and over again. You'll note that instead of helping me avoid further pummelling, Silverfox took pictures. Clicking on it will pull up the animated version of my humiliation at the hands of a toddler. I refuse to take that test circulating the internet of "How many 5 year olds could you take in a fight". The answer is none.

After an I.V. ...

pint size is feeling like a new man. A new man that can buy the ' I survived having mono' t-shirt from the gift shop.

Ya wanna check that again, doc?

Another parental milestone tonight.. First trip to the e.r. with pint size. He was all muckusy and puking all day, so silverfox thought it prudent. After many tests, the docs determined he has mono. Yes, i said mono.

In 2008, less is more...

In 2008, rather than make any resolutions that I'll just abandon by Robbie Gras, I have decided I will instead try to do the following:

Eat less, exercise more.
Drive less, walk more.
Work less, write more.
Worry less, laugh more.
Watch TV less, read more.
Plan less, travel more.
Complain less, do more.
Hate less, Love more.

I'll let you know how it goes :)

The full story....A red hot New Year's eve

It all started out to be a fun and happening New Year's eve, with a nice diverse crowd showing up for our party... here we see Dizzy, Fin, and Finwife reasonably in the spirit... what is Finwife looking off camera at you ask?
She's looking at my nominees for "Cutest couple of the new year"... Mrs and Mr Ringo! They were just adorable last night.
So we got together in the parking lot of the complex to watch the fireworks... being surrounded by rich folk has it's benefits, because at midnight, the entire skyline around us exploded with color as they all tried to outdo each other. It was pretty spectacular. After midnight, Silverfox gathered everyone together to toast the new year and give thanks for the past one. I admit, I blushed a bit when Silverfox said that she was thankful for finding a man that taught her the "true meaning of being rich beyond words." Pretty sure she meant me, I joked around a bit and for my toast, said "Back at ya toots. To a loving home and the company of friends." It continued around the room, and I realized that 2007 was an incredible year for so many that touch my life. It was a heartwarming moment, and a great start to the new year. We entertained our guests till about 2:30, playing board games and such.

Silverfox and I then cuddled together on the couch, chatting a bit about our hopes and goals for the new year, when we heard someone going door to door pounding on all the doors in the condo complex. Before he got to our door I stuck my head out, and was told that our building was on fire. Apparently, embers from the local fireworks alighted upon the roof of the building, and had been smoldering there since midnight. From the other side of the pool, Silverfox and I watched as our New Years hopes we had been talking about just moments before were in danger of going up in smoke, quite literally.

Three fire engines full of Kenner's bravest responded to the scene, and got the fire under control fairly quickly (quickly being about twenty of the longest minutes I have ever spent)
For a while there, it looked like we would have to find somewhere else to stay for a few days, as the fire damaged the building's electrical system... but the fire marshal inspected the wiring, and said that we were clear to go back in. Some of our neighbors weren't so lucky, as the fire damaged three of the units in the building.

Our adrenaline pumping in overtime, Silverfox and I chatted some more before falling asleep, and I told her that when it comes down to it, all of the stuff that was in danger were really just things... that the most important thing in my life was standing next to me by the pool that night.

Uncharacteristically mushy, I know... But she was right. We are truly rich in ways beyond monetary or property value. It will be a great year... no matter what life throws at us.

In other news, Pint size learned to climb all the way up the stairs in the condo. (Nearly gave Silverfox a heart attack) till he slowly and carefully started climbing back down again. We're so proud.

The morning after...

the fire was pretty bad. It damaged three units in our building . In the photo above, me and silverfox's place is on the left side of the building. We got very lucky.

New years fireworks...

at 3:07 new years eve , after our last party guests left, our building caught fire. Happy new year! We are fine. More to come.