A brand new year!

Well, its 2009 and I am back to the blog. I hardly ever write on this or any of the other blogs that I manage, but I feel comforted by the fact that I have a place where I can go and type my thoughts and ideas (instead of bottling them up inside). I also like the fact that every year I add another four messages to the blog. I think that last year I had as many posts as there were months in the year (although I don't think every month had at least one post). So I've been typing up my notes for the children's book that I am starting, The Monster Box, and i am surprised by the amount of stuff that I already have. I wanted it to be a simple picture book, but at the rate I'm going it will more likely end up being a small novel (not quite a novella). Perhaps I can simplify it and turn it into a series of chapter books like Magic Tree House or Encyclopedia Brown (I loved those books when I was a kid).
Christmas was an interesting holiday! I spent most of it sick, yeah! I get a flu shot to avoid getting sick--last year it felt like i had one illness after another all winter long; it was no bueno!--and what happens the minute that school lets out for an extended break ... I get sick! I worked off and on the few days before Christmas, and was sick from Christmas day until ... well ... I'm still not quite over it yet. I blame the dentist personally. I went in to have a few cavities filled (my goal in life it to have more an entirely metal mouth like the James Bond villain Jaws) and came out with a cold-stupid Novocaine numbing half my face! Anyway, I spent Christmas up in Rexburg with Sarah's family. Aiden had a blast, though he was a typical two-year-old, he had very nice superhero themed holiday (lots and lots of Spider-Man themed gifts). Laila had no clue what was going on. I spent a few days in Utah with the other half of Sarah's family (it was a fun party and I got to play with Sugar Gliders) and I was still sick the whole time. After that I had a day at home and then went to Twin for the New Years and all that.
New Years was pretty much a bust (I was in bed by 10:00). I was watching the OC (yes, I like the show) and found myself relating to Seth Cohen, the character played by Adam Brody. In one episode he talked about how he feels like he was always meant to be a 70-year-old retiree. I too feel this way. New Years is fun and all, but I enjoy going to bed early and doing old man things. I always talk about how excited I am to get older, and though I may be experiencing my own pre-midlife-crisis of some kind right now, I don't think it is related to the fact that I am getting older. I think I'm just a little crazy (but aren't we all). Anyway, while everyone was ringing in the New Year, I was tucked in sleeping comfortably. No champagne or Martinellies Sparkling Cider, just me and my pillow. It truly was a perfect way to "ring in the new year! The next day my brother and I drove to Elko, Nevada where we moved my father's photography studio back to Twin Falls. It was an interesting experience that merits little discussion other than to say my brother and I won $7.50 playing the quarter slots at a grocery store. That is a story that merits telling, but because I'm tired of typing that rambling I will not share it right now. Needless to say it was a legendary experience that will be followed up by a trip to Fort Hall to play the penny slots!

Cheers