The future makes a whirring sound.

It occurs to me that I might never buy an internal combustion engine car (hybrid maybe) or a TV (computer monitor with speakers maybe -- see poll in sidebar). This is somewhat shocking and mildly comforting. I mean, the zipper has been around for a hundred years (thanks, Statesman!), but not everything gets so good a run.

Smoothies and Privacy

Ah, parenting! My boy wraps up his first full week of preschool today. Not sure if or how we should celebrate. He seems remarkably chill about the whole thing...
 Last Friday (after only two days), I took him for a treat at the local JuiceLand. Might do so again today!

I hope that one day I'll get around to posting the video of his first day (or, more accurately, the trip to drop him off), but I have a feeling I should edit it a bit for anonymity. What do you lovely readers think?


Sometimes it's hard to make the right choices, and harder to know which one is right. More on this later...
Also, a thoughtful video about the evolution of parenting as a child grows.
Also also, I was surprised to discover that such a thing as the Air Barrier Association of America existed. I wonder if Rule 34 applies...

First day of school, last creek hike.

My boy started pre-school yesterday. This mark of progress is bittersweet, of course (and I'm not just talking about the financial burden of a private pre-school). While his new occupation frees up some of my time to pursue schoolwork and business ventures, it seriously curtails our previous father/son always-adventuresome dynamic. Morning creek walks with our little dog Howie, trips to the Austin Children's Museum (where we'd just gotten a family membership!), launching rockets, and baking from a 30-yr-old copy of Kinder-Krunchies (courtesy of my local Discovery Toys sales rep)... The thoughtful activities that I hoped made me a particularly awesome dad will have to be pared down to fit into the tiny bit of day left between his nap and dinner. And I presume his mom will still want him some times... :-/

At least I've got a few pictures of the good ol' days!