My lovely wife turns 39 today. I like to say the word "39" because it's the last year I'll be allowed to mention her age. Quite frankly, it's harder to imagine her turning 40 than it was for me think of myself turning 40. Marie is one of those girls meant to be young, despite the birthing of seven children. I, on the other hand, am one of those guys meant to be old, I think. When we were dating in our early twenties, I was making fun of her for something and commented "Just because you look like you're 15." She responded, "Just because you look like you're 40." It was funny because it was apt. I beat her for it, but it was apt.
We celebrated her birthday last Saturday. I bought her a Sonicare toothbrush kit, based on the highly-enthusiastic recommendations of two friends and their wives. The thing is amazing (it came with an extra head, so I'm reaping the benefits). After two uses, I felt like I'd had my teeth cleaned by a dentist. My friends tell me that dental hygienists can quickly identify Sonicare users by the better shape of their teeth and gums. I'll probably buy extra heads for my older children. With a little luck, its steep price tag will be off-set by reduced dental bills.
So what auspicious event is taking place to celebrate my wife's birthday? Oh joy: Guns N'Roses. From The Atlantic Monthly:
Long mocked as “the most expensive album never made,” Guns N' Roses's Chinese Democracy should finally get a spin today. Thirteen years and $13 million in the making, the project burned through at least four producers, featured a rap cameo by Shaquille O'Neal, and included an in-studio chicken coop built to appease a finicky guitarist, all presided over by the group's tempestuous lead singer–and lone remaining original member–Axl Rose.
Also happening in March (found at same site linked immediately above):
Backed by a Las Vegas businessman, the Hualapai Indians open a glass walkway cantilevered seventy feet past the edge of the Grand Canyon and thousands of feet over its floor to drum up more tourism (it's been years since Robbie Knievel's jump). The U-shaped structure is fitted with shock absorbers to minimize swaying.
That sounds really cool. I plan on being there in about 16 months.
Blowing my cyber mind: The entire catalogue of information from 1,800 courses at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will be available free online by the end of the year.
You want to freak out? Look at this story: Sex offender tricks schools. Gets admitted as a student. He's in his late twenties. When I saw the headline, I thought, "Okay, so he passed himself off as a high school junior." Nope. He passed himself off as a seventh grader. He hung out, started a skateboard club, and lived with other sexual predators. Freaky stuff. As we try to tighten the noose on these perverts, they get more and more creative.
