Pirate's Life for Me

My pirate name is:

Iron William Read

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. Even through many pirates have a reputation for not being the brightest souls on earth, you defy the stereotypes. You've got taste and education. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

JamesF, or should I say Dirty James Bonney, had a great post about a site that will generate a Pirate name for you. I just had to try it...and yes I did enter my real name as Milton. Surprising that didn't cause a Java script error on its own:-)

Hobbit Spring

We are a little worried about trimming Seamus' toenails..they are growing faster and more gnarly than we would like!

Warm weather allows us to get outside!

Seamus' Florida grandparents were up this week to see their grandson. You can see Bonnie holding Seamus in one of the pictures.

Mighty Mouse Humbles Lollygag

Buddy mugging for the camera on Mouse Branch Overlook Loop. Lake Fontana is in the background. Image Courtesy P.Kennedy

Yesterday Pete and I spent the late afternoon-early evening in the Tsali Recreation Area on the Mouse Branch Trail. It was about 8 miles of single track and 2 miles of fire roads. I was pretty happy with my aerobic conditioning, but my downhill bike handling was a little sketchy...not nearly as comfortable as I would like to be....but I took no diggers this time...although I did fall over when my chain skipped off the granny gear to the inside and jammed (bike needs a little spring tuning). It was great to be outside. It was warm, but overcast and we had the trails entirely to ourselves which is unusual at Tsali.

The Tsali recreational area surrounds Lake Fontana. Beautiful place, but the pines have been more or less devastated by the Southern Pine Beetle. Parts of the bike ride were through areas that had hundreds of dead pines, many fallen to the forest floor.

For those of you interested in such things, you can see how this pest has wrought havoc in the Southeast U.S.

The trail Pete and I rode yesterday is highlighted in yellow. Adding the Overlook loop is worth it if you make the trip out to Tsali to ride.

Seamus Direct YouTube Upload

Seamus and I tried a little direct YouTube upload...only problem (actually 2) was I had a microphone plugged in for recording lectures off to the side, so the little web cam mic was not activated. I also think our DSL upload speed is to slow and throughput to choppy to get even a low quality video, but it is kind of funny so here you go.

Some equally entertaining babies!

Seamus Update

This little guy just has it made.

Seamus had a pediatrician check-up yesterday. He now weighs 9 lbs 5.5 oz (weight gain of over 2lbs in a little over 3 weeks) and grew an additional 2 inches in length. I really can't call it height since he spends most of his time reclining.

Anyway, we are pleased that all his systems are working. He also learned to bat a stuffed lady bug around and momentarily found his ear.

Both dogs have assumed their new guardian roles. Bear likes to take crib watch during the day and Tucker sleeps under there at night. So far Seamus hasn't paid them too much attention, although his eyes get a little big when he sees Bear moving close by.

Animation with Heart

Stumbled on this today and I just really liked it... also have some video of Seamus that should be coming soon. Just waiting on YouTube.

Welcome Back to Me Own Blog

Well Christine, Seamus, and I are coming out of the fog of the first few weeks of child rearing. She is now able to pump enough to occasionally allow me to do the feeding (via bottle) and take escape for a few moments to the gym or other destination.

He is doing great...I think he has gained a few pounds and is now able to pee great distances with stupefying ease. He has actually been able to pee twice his body length which I find remarkable...the blinds, lampshades, and other items in proximity of the changing table may not be the same...but well worth the sacrifice.

I actually got to go for the first real bike ride of the season...too short...but it was warm and I actually got in some mild hill work. See my buddy Pete has been practicing up thinking he will dog me on the Tsali single track...but I am going to smoke him like Bo and Luke Duke smoked Roscoe P. Coaltrain. I'm commin' for you Pete.