the last half of Sept 08

This month I went to Austin twice (Sunny and kids 3x, because of hurricane threat). Two weeks ago we saw my brother in law, Jason, graduate at the toppy top of his class after a hard 2yrs of study in computer networking science stuff. He won crazy amounts of awards and gave a brief thanks at the end. I think he went onstage (like pictured) four times. I told him he wouldn't need to workout this week. Congrats Jason for all the top honors and your achievement. The best part was riding the long skateboard down the hills in his neighborhood that night.

Returning, we went fishing and had burgers at friends' house (Thanks Ockers!) and let the girls each reel in a large perch from the canal in their backyard. While on their dock, this whack jellyfish bongled slowly by, so I scooped him up and put him in my aquarium. I've always wanted to see how one of these would do in my tank. I predicted 3-4 days. He flubbled slowly and commited his spirit to his creator only 1.5days into his incarceration. Then the hermit crabs set upon him. When his body began fouling my water I pitched him high into the street with a wet "schplork!" and let the cars disintegrate his remains. No more jellyfish in aquariums.

The next weekend I returned to Austin to teach a suture workshop at a nurse practitioners' conference. The classes were a big success. I went in my old civic with 60 pillows and a tote full of instruments and 1200 sutures. It was a tight fit. The classes went well. I had an extra day in town before Sunny and kids arrived (for her sister's baby shower) and was lucky enough to see three of my best friends I've been tight with since 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades, as well as a college roommate whom I relate to just the same as any childhood friend. We're still the same people, with many of the same changes and it's so invigorating to see them well and content. When the kids arrived the next day, I raked a pile of leaves together and they instinctively jumped in. One minute later, they began attacking each other (Click the high noon standoff pic between Race and Claire to really dig the scene). Once that got old, Claire decided to pile it on her head. This reminded me of a character I made for years at all creek swims called "Moss Man" when I'd swim to the bottom, pile as much of the thickest moss and muck I could keep on my head, and slowly emerge from the water with hands outstretched and a loud grunting moan like "Wrraaaugghhhhhrr!" So there.