Eight Is Enough

My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles

My Very Excellent Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets

I'm sure you've heard by now, but Mother will need to do something new to compensate for the loss of Pluto as our Ninth planet. It all began on August 14th, when the International Astronomical Union met for 12 days to determine what Pluto should be considered, when a celestial body was discovered larger than Pluto, nicknamed "Xena." (Now disappointingly dubbed "2003 UB313," until they ponder a better name. You can't beat "Xena," in my opinion.) They voted on Pluto's status and what defines a planet , and decided that our beloved Pluto doesn't qualify.

The implications of this change in textbooks, astrological charts, and teaching materials will be the size of a planet (or dwarf planet). The amount of Styrofoam saved alone from not making that ninth planet in the science fair diorama could be astronomical.

It's a bit saddening to see something we've all grown up with become nothing, a once-scientific fact our children will never learn. Although it is also a bit relieving for me personally to see the biggest piece of news this past week not stem from Hollywood or the Middle East.

Nothing To Say

I know I've been quiet... It's because I've been told if you have nothing nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all. And what I would like to say publicly, I can't, because my story might appear on page 36 of the New York Post in local news on how another person has lost their job because of things said publicly on their blog. (Just using the job as an example, of course.)

I would like to congratulate one of my loyal readers though on his engagement. I always knew he would make some girl very happy; I'm glad his new fiancee agreed with me. I also have a long distance dedication to another pair of friends who just got married out in California last weekend. Sorry I couldn't be there in person, but you know I wish you the best and much happiness. (You all might remember this guy as the really really drunk guy at my own wedding.)

On the baby front, my new nephew turned two years old last week, and my old nephew (the first and original nephew) and his family (a.k.a. my sister's family) got a brand new in ground pool, which was quite fancy and reminiscent of the Motel 6 pools I used to frequent as a recently graduated low income nomad. The baby everyone is asking about (no relation) is doing well, as you should read about in this much more frequently updated blog. And last but not least, is a friend's new addition who I've yet had the pleasure of meeting in person, as shown here: Wifey and I also reached our 3 year wedding anniversary. (Congratulations to her on the three happiest years of her life.) I forgot to call my oldest sister on her birthday last month, and am hoping not to repeat the same mistake twice for my older sister whose birthday is this month.

And I had a $1,000 car repair, and went shopping at Target yesterday.

So that sums up my last few weeks in one blog posting. I hope to have more news soon...