Josiah and I watched Star Wars. Which I would have done in just about any situation. It’s always cool to sit with your kid to watch a movie that you both are as excited as the other to watch.

I ran over to our rental house (which just sold, wooohooo!) and started up the furnace for the inspection.

I am blogging. And reading everybody’s twitter about how they haven’t done their taxes.

I worked. Kinda.

I am taking the wife and kids to lunch. Uncle Sam, you can wait.

A “nature burger” with fake grill marks painted on it.

Prank phone calls like the guy who called me selling light bulbs for the blind. Ha-ha. Very funny. You are sick, mister.

Big, conceited bodies of water, especially Lake Superior.

more via McSweeney’s…

You are eight and I am older, but much, much better knowing you are coming along so nicely. I’m not really sure how we have accomplished this. I remember holding you in my arms when you were a baby, and wondering what you would be like when you grew up. I was anxious and nervous, but instantly calmed seeing your mother hold you and love you.

I see you around people, how polite and respectful you are… but it’s when I see that little mischevious twinkle in your eye that I love you the most. I also love you the most when I see how kind your heart is. I can’t decide between the two, so I’ll go with both.

You slept in our bed until a couple of years ago. I know you could have slept on your own, but it was really me that still wanted to hold you at night. I was the one that was a wreck when you and your brother moved into your own room. Weird, huh? I don’t really care, because those were years when I was working crazy hours and momma was hanging on to her sanity and the only time I had to connect with you was when we settled in at night and I was able to hold you as you fell asleep on my shoulder. I would do it all the same again, if I could.

One night about six months ago, when we just had moved into our new house and we were still getting a feel for things, I needed to go outside and get something out of my car. It was dark, I mean pitch dark, but you ran right by me into the night. I thought about how brave you were, how I might never had done that at your age, but then you came back running to me, grabbed my hand and led me to the car. I felt humbled that you wanted me to hold your hand, and grateful that you still needed that. I hope those days last a long time.

Computers and all things lego are an obssesion with you right now. It makes me laugh to think how alike we are, and how the same things I was into at your age you are currently obssesing about. Don’t worry, I drove my papa and momma crazy with it also. I have some personality flaws that I’m afraid I may have passed on to you also, but no worries there… I think I’ll understand you much better than I’ve understood myself so far.

It is amazing to see how you love your sister and brother. You are a wonderful older brother. You are patient beyond our dreams with your sister, sometimes so much more than your momma and I. That makes you pretty amazing.

Your mother and I love you. I tell you that every night when I put you to bed. I love that little ritual every night, and hate it when I miss it when I am traveling. I know the days are numbered on nightime rituals and wanting to hold my hand. It’s ok, I also enjoy watching you grow. But I do enjoy these days immensely. Happy Birthday buddy, I love you, and you can be sure that it won’t be the last time I tell you that.

Downloaded 7/28/01

Yours?