"And what would you recommend?"

Picked up the latest issue of G.Q. this morning, as prompted to do so by one of the blogs I read. From time to time I'll take the blogger I'm reading up on their recommendation - be it music to listen to, books to read, or even a type of cheese once. That kind of stuff. It's never anything life shattering. Well, that is until, maybe today.

I had no idea what would soon pass before me today when I decided to reach for the silky smooth magazine. I normally would have not bothered, but he has the most delicious little snarl on his face. You just want to lick his stubble!

They are the sexiest photos I have seen in some time. They are just scrummy!

I'd be sorely tempted to stick them up in my locker at work, if I had one. I guess.

If you have missed it gentle reader rush out and buy while stocks last.

"Naughty Forty" Here I Am!

Well, as of yesterday, I am officially forty years old. I don't think I am necessarily feeling different, but I have the hint that I might be thinking differently. Is that too vague?

Anyway. The Boy and I went to Las Vegas for the weekend, my first introduction to the all time favorite Adult American pastime of the Vegas experience. It was fun. We saw two amazing Cirque Du Soliel shows ("Ka" and "O"), saw the Mapplethorpe and Ansel Adams exhibitions, ate some great meals (buffet at Paris is a fave), roamed the strip and numerous casino floors, saw the lions at MGM, the amazing fountain at Bellagio, the throngs of folks on the strip itself. Oh the humanity!

We stayed in the home of friends who live very near the strip, and slept in their amazingly comfy guest room. We rented a PT Cruiser, and were out until 1 AM both nights.

The shopping was incredible - every designer store I have ever heard of - although we did not indulge our shopping urges, just being in the middle of all that variety and available merchandise was more than enough.

I probably don't need to ever go back. Maybe with a group might be fun. But at least I can say I have been and done.

Back home Sunday afternoon and both of us falling into bed by 8:30 PM, to blissful sleep and snuggling.

The Tide of Change

I only allow myself to observe American politics, not being a citizen has it's benefits. It feels so sullied with kick-backs and pork. The actual electoral system just confuses me too much, too. But there does seem to be the faint hint of change in the air.

Perhaps because, to an extent, I feel it in myself also. I feel myself about to emerge as a new being. Somewhat like the splitting of a cocoon, and the subsequent dazed fumblings of a newly winged grub. I didn't think there was actually any truth to the stories about turning 40, but I now have a sense of what it is that the stories relate to. It isn't as frenzied as they describe it - more of an opening of awareness to ones own adulthood. Realization of the place you occupy in the world, and that this is an age when one is really expected to have gotten it together.

Well, here's hoping.

Crashing on the Beach

The thing about waves, is that there is generally another.

We may not know when it will crash, but it can be generally agreed upon, that there will be another, and another.

'nuf said.

Rough Days

Death doesn't generally wait for us to be ready. Except where I work, where when it does expectantly come, while it is none-the-less painful, it is often seen as a release after a long and difficult illness. This makes a sudden, unexpected, emergent death very hard to take. Hard to absorb, hard to fathom. Particularly at 07:10 AM as you are just opening the days activities.

But it came suddenly to one of our little ones yesterday. Unexpected, unexplained, unwelcome. Despite all our best actions and intentions, death won. And we lost something precious.

I can only talk about how it feels. The details are not mine to share. But I feel like I have been shaken awake after falling asleep on the train, and woken bewildered and disoriented, unsure even of my name, at a stop far from my original destination. "Where the hell am I"?

There have been a number of deaths in recent weeks. The holiday season is often accompanied by a run - a set of threes - a rash of final journeys. I have heard statistics that say females die after holidays, and males before. The past three weeks however, they have been all over the place.

There are probably four more imminent, which will each take their own toll on our team.

For now I think I'll pretend that I don't see the distant descending tsunami wave and lay here on the beach. "Just another few minutes".

They Don't Come Any Cuter!

This is Conner - he is just on 15 months old. He is probably the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Mum says he is cuddly and gives lots of kisses. His big brother Keegan is a bit of a bruiser, by all accounts. He sure was back in January of last year when we saw him last. Mum says that Conner is softening Keegan up some with his sweet demeanor. This just in; number three is en route, too!

I just love that I have nephews (4), and a niece. My sister Ruth will have her second in the spring, and so soon there will be 7 in total!

Big part of being home in the Fall will be all these babies, too.

Can't wait.