March 2009 - Posts
I usually keep the matter on this blog pretty thin on the personal details, but this is kind of interesting and personal. When we we started trying to make our little family, there was a period where things didn't just happen. We sought medical advice, did what they told us, and things were still not working. At that point we were faced with some decisions: keep trying (possibly truly in vain), have my lovely wife subject herself to a surgical procedure that may do nothing, or consider in vitro fertilization. I threw a fourth choice in the mix, since I was fairly fervently against choosing in vitro (for various reasons, most of which were not financial, although the fiscal impact is far from trivial). I honestly thought that if we had to go to extreme measures to conceive, perhaps adoption was the better choice for us. We chose to try the surgical procedure, agreeing that if it didn't work, we would pursue adoption. We were blessed with the conception of our first child months later, and we have been blessed with two more wonderful children since.
With that said, I was fully prepared to embrace adoption. I grew up with friends who were adopted -- some of them were good with it, some not as much. All of them had loving, caring, adoptive parents who gave their all for those people, and I think in the end, that love was well placed. This article points out a scary trend in this country that leaves too many kids in our country in foster homes or other temporary custodianship. That trend is at least partially caused by our own adoption process that makes it hard for potentially loving parents to adopt an American child. I'm not sure I care what Madonna does, but if her story causes people to think about and possibly change this for the better, then I can put up with her in the headlines, again.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/30/martin.adopt/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
(If you don't understand the title of this post, even after watching the video, check out the works of Douglas Adams. Read all of them. You will laugh. A lot. If not, seek medical attention.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuVgXJ55G6Y
Dolphins blowing air-bubble rings and manipulating them, apparently simply for amusement. Someone was telling me about this last week, but I hadn't seen it until it popped up on boinG boinG in my reader...
As I am (for like the thousandth time) trying to again drop some poundage and get myself into a healthier fitness level, I am astounded by stories of people achieving outrageous physical feats, through their determination and hard work.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/03/29/impact.row.atlantic/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
Dude rowed a boat across the atlantic ocean, solo. No support boat following, no helicopters tracking, just him, some solar powered electronics, and support from friends and family back home. That's pretty intense...
Great game by the Green and White men last night against Kansas. They had me plenty nervous, but it seemed like there was an underlying desire to get it done, and in the end, they pulled it out. 6 times in 11 years -- not too shabby.
Now I have to find a way to amuse myself until Sunday afternoon when they take on Louisville. I think I'll pick up a brisket and throw it on the smoker...
Wow.
Suzy Merchant and the Women's Basketball team deserve huge props for a great win over Duke and former MSU coach Joanne P McCallie last night. It was a great game with outstanding efforts from Mia Johnson and Lauren Aitch (among others -- they just stood out to me). Overall, I enjoyed watching, and I usually skip watching the ladies. This was one for the history books, and although I don't wish ill on Coach P, I am very pleased to see the Sparties upend Duke. Nice work Coach Merchant and team!
Both hoops teams in the Sweet 16 again!
I just had to throw out some love for Mr. Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Men's Basketball team. Nice job getting to the Sweet Sixteen -- keep it up this coming weekend!
Also, a shout out for Suzy Merchant and the Michigan State Women's Basketball team -- nice comeback win over Middle Tennesse State -- keep that momentum for your game tonight, ladies! The Spartan Nation is pulling for you!
Finally, a huge congrats to Franklin Gomez for capturing the National Championship in his weight in wrestling! Awesome individual effort!
Spartan athletics keeping us on the map and giving alumni things to cheer about and be proud of. It is great to be a Spartan!
Good luck convincing me otherwise. You have no chance.
http://www.scienceforseo.com/informationtext-analysis/how-does-a-search-engine-know-what-words-mean/
The current state of search is impressive, but at the same time, totally pathetic. I can scan 2400 emails in seconds and pick out the non-spam. I combine multiple filters that no email filter could. The human brain is an awesome piece of machinery when it comes to approximations and rough patterns (and sometimes it is inaccurate -- sure). Still, this is cool stuff. Don't bother telling me it isn't
Those of you who visit the site occasionally, and venture further than this front page will notice some changes. I have updated the site to the newest version of Community Server. I had some kinks earlier today (images/avatars not showing) but I think I've got it all set now. It was a lot easier than I expected once I got everything local. It is amazing that we've generated almost 800MB of DB content on this site with a relatively small set of members. Take a look, kick the tires, let me know what is working, what's broke, and what you think of the new version...