Same difference

We're back from the wedding. They were successfully married, the party was one to write home about and I am now officially no longer shot-less. The look of horror on the face of my Russian sister-in-law upon hearing I'd never done a shot was enough to convince me that it had to happen that night. I did vodka shots with my brother and what can I say? I'm a lightweight. Fortunately, I didn't really feel anything the next morning except tired.

The next morning, we met at Andrew's parents' house for brunch and we had some family photos taken. I really wanted one of all three of us - we're so rarely in the same room together anymore. I got to snooping at some other photos on FB, and found this one that my cousin Ben had posted a while back. It was taken probably 1980-81. It's hard to tell.

I look at this 2010 one as a bit of an update to that one. 30 years later, here we are again, sitting on a couch in the same damn order, although Ryan no longer looks like he's raided Tony Manero's closet.

I have 2000% more gray hair than both of them put together, but I daresay we look pretty damn good.

Dad + daughter v.9.0

It's been a bit of a bittersweet day around here today. Today marked the 9th anniversary of the day that my one and only child made her long-delayed entrance into the world. In sadder news, today was also the day that our cat Mia lost her fight with what I fully believe to be vaccine-induced sarcoma. She was a tough old bird and Heidi has done a wonderful and loving tribute to her here. I encourage you to read it. Keep the Kleenex handy.

I am sad about the loss of Mia - you don't have a pet for 14 years and not react to it in some way. But today is also about Anna. I've done birthday posts for her in the past and I didn't want to let this year go by without celebrating the amazing kid she is. I got looking through pictures on the hard drive and was surprised by how many photos of the two of us there actually are. I always half-kid that I feel like an absent father because I work so much and such weird hours. When I was getting ready to go to Kansas City in October, I asked Anna if she would miss me and she kind of tsk'd me and said "Dad, I'm USED to you being gone." I try not to take it personally. Judging from the sheer number of pictures of just the two of us, being an absent father is the LAST thing I need to be worrying about.

Here are 14 of my favorite photos of Anna and me. Roughly in chronological order. I'll keep the commentary to a minimum and let the photos speak for themselves.


The very first photo taken of the two of us, 11/15/2001.

I had important e-mail to read. She's a little bit pumpkin-y so I bet this is the first week.

About 11 months old, we were headed to the park.

Summer of 2003 - I can tell because that's when I grew facial hair. The book is Halley Came To Jackson.

Halloween 2006.

Summer/Fall 2006

Christmas 2006, I'm pretty sure.

Pride 2007

Pride 2008

Winter 2008, my best guess.

Mesa Verde National Park, 2009.

Center Grove Orchard, 2009

Daddy-Daughter Dance, May 2010.

I want to end this with one of my favorite photos of Anna and me. Taken at the Pacific Ocean in June of 2009, I love her outstretched arms and what is almost assuredly a pensive look on my face even though you can't see it.


I love you kid. I hope your birthday was happy and I can't believe you're half grown up.

The past catches up with you

My father sent me this picture this morning. That little tyke is yours truly.


The funny part of this is I have never once seen this picture in my entire life. It makes me wonder where in the world he found it.

In living color

This was Madonna's artist photo on last.fm the other day. It is usually the Ray of Light album cover, so this was a pleasant change.

I think, when it comes to iconic Madonna photos, this one has to be in the top five. It is oddly jarring seeing it in color as opposed to the sepia tones of the album cover. It's like we woke up in Munchkinland!

While I don't think that this is just an amateurish colorization of the Like A Virgin album cover, it would also not surprise me if that's what it turned out to be.