The registration for the Penny-Arcade Expo has gone up, and I’m in. Last year I had a great time, and I believe Ms. Kerry G is also in. I don’t know who else might want to come, but at least some of us are going to brave the madness.

(Disclaimer: as much as I would like to take credit for this magnificent pumpkin, it was actually carved by my buddy Stephen, not me.)

As of today, it’s exactly one year to the day since the Special Lady Friend and I arrived in Maine, fresh off our 4,300 mile odyssey, moving back from Seattle. (Although, if you want to be pedantic about it, this is a leap year, so technically yesterday was exactly 365 days. Luckily, I am not pedantic.)

It’s been an eventful year. Since setting up shop back on the East Siiiide, I’ve

• Gotten married
• Changed careers
• Reached the statistical halfway point of my expected lifespan
• Cheered for not one, but two championships by professional franchises from my general geographic area, which of course covers me in vicarious, unearned glory
• Been bitterly disappointed by a third. (Yes, I realize I’m ridiculously spoiled. It’s not as if anyone from, say, Seattle would have any pity for me at all)
• Posted treasonous, objectively pro-Elitislamohomoliberofascist insults of Dear Leader on no fewer than 19 occasions (ok, so maybe that’s not a big change)

After being away from my home state for the better part of a decade, I can say it’s changed quite a bit. I used to curse the place for being too conservative and claustrophobic, but an interesting thing happened while I was gone: Mainers have loosened up quite a bit. There’s state-run health insurance for the poor, every 8th grader gets a laptop, the Green Party has official standing, marijuana laws are fairly lax, and George W. Bush is staggeringly unpopular, even in Kennebunkport.

In fact, given its large size, low population density, large swathes of pristine wilderness, and odd mix of rednecks and hippies, Maine less resembles its urbanized, overpopulated Northeast neighbors than a large, Western state.

Except, of course, that here, the sun rises out of the ocean, instead of setting in it. As it should be.

Today is my friend (and Kerry’s) Judy’s birthday!  I know she reads this blog periodically so I wanted to drop her a birthday wish.

via Flickr and http://www.evilmadscientist.com

toaster - pejorative term used by Humans to describe Cylon centurions.

Jerry Falwell is pushing up daisies.

Larry Flynt is still alive.

But just in case you think I’m being crass and tasteless by openly mocking and exulting in the death of another human being:

The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say, “You helped this happen.”

– Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Burn in Hell, Jer. You’ve earned it.

Well, I am finally feeling up to posting.

As you may or may not know, Greg and I are expecting. A baby. And to win the lottery, because, like the man says, you can’t win if you don’t play. Anyhow, some background: we decided we wanted more children about six months ago and when I went in for a pre-conception visit, I was sidelined by the whole “having cancer” thing. Well, six weeks after my successful treatment, my OB gave me clearance for take-off and I immediately got pregnant. I also knew immediately because — and I am not kidding here — I started having pregnancy symptoms TWO DAYS after conception. And, unlike my prior pregnancies, I have symtoms of every stripe — sick sick sick, sore and growing boobies, being worn out from taking naps, emotional to the point of absurdity, and others that I’m sure I’ve now acclimated to and hardly notice.

I am, as of today, five weeks pregnant. I go in for my first appointment with my OB on May 22nd, the day before I leave for an extended holiday. I feel compelled to tell you about my OB: I love him. And I don’t mean like, “I respect his work,” or “he is highly competent and has a wonderful bedside manner.” I mean, like love love. He makes me have cartoon hearts in my eyes. His name is Tommy and he is a personal friend of mine (I interned for him when I was in school and thought I wanted to be a doctor. Kids, huh?) I think Greg may love him, too, because, when he came back into the recovery area after I had my surgery, he hugged Tommy and said, “Thank you for taking care of her. You’re my hero.” And I’m pretty sure I saw cartoon hearts in his eyes, too.

Here’s some other interesting bits:

We have already picked out names for girls and boys.

Girls: 1st place: Xiaolin

2nd place: Ella

Boys: 1st place: Finn

2nd place: Carroll

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I will be delivering at this hospital and this will be my room. I will opt for the suite if it is available because I am a hedonist and none of my pleasures are guilty.

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My due date (per my last period) is January 11, 2008. The ultrasound I will have on the 22nd will either confirm this date or set a new one based on the fetal development.

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We’ve told all of our friends and family and everyone is positively giddy.

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It is momentous, friends, making a child with a person that you adore.

Yours In Puke,
Mel

Here’s a Happy Birthday shout out to our very own DM. Have a spectacular day and weekend. Make lots of trouble. 

Also, since I didn’t get my act together and don’t have a present for you, here’s a fun little website I’ve been enjoying lately.

It’s a cassette generator made by the same people who brought us the ever popular church sign generator. The possibilities are endless.

29 years ago today Zandra was born. Clearly (I think?) the world has only improved with your existence.

She is taking the day off work, sleeping in, going for tea, and getting a massage all before going out tonight. For those of you that can’t be there, this is a lot like what tonight will look like:

Thanks for being an awesome roommate and an even better friend. I hope you have a great day, but really, I don’t see how it could be anything but.