It's funny how often I take for granted all the things Mari (my wife) does for me. She's very thoughtful. And we've fought a lot in the past (over stupid stuff, of course) but we share one thing in common - we hate not being around each other more than pretty much everything. In an hour she is going to San Diego to see her Dad who is turning 80. She's going to surprise him - so it's not just me she's thoughtful about - quite a wonderful lady. She'll only be gone for a week, but I'm...

Mari has wanted a tattoo for a long time. She's had a general idea of the subject matter she wanted, which is to say stuff to do with either dragonflies or lotus blossoms. She recently found this picture on the internet, and is thinking of getting a tattoo of it. I noticed that you could overlay a hint of yin-yang in there, and forgive me because I suck at visual art, but I came up with this modification. This is just a quick concept. Comments welcome. I'm sure she'd app...

Ok, Mari is pretty stoked about the yin-yang concept, and I think maybe my crude drawing didn't explain what she and I talked about well enough, so I took a little more time to try to show the concept we had in mind. Would this one (or variations of any overlapping between yin-yang and the flies) change your thoughts any? Thanks for comments. Here's another attempt. It's like a sore tooth...I can't quit fiddling with it!

Everyone tells us "You're so lucky to be looking for a home, now!  It's a buyer's market!   No, it isn't.  Not where we are, at least.  San Diego, CA.   For nearly two months we've been looking for a good home to buy.  We pre-qualify for almost a half million dollars.  But homes out here are outrageous expensive, and every one we go see, the sharks are patrolling the waters.  Investors looking to buy, refurbish, and sell at a profit.   ...

Dear Kaitlen, Sweet 16 is treating you quite well. TOO well. You're all grown up - and out - and, well, I'm your Dad, so it makes me a trifle nervous. Lead a smart life, dear, and try not to do anything stupid. Carry condoms regardless of what idiot things anyone may tell you about abstinence. At some point, you're gonna need them. I love you, Dad P.S. Glenn, (my son on the left edit: duh...as if you needed that clarification, JU) - you have my permission to kill...for whate...