Why do I even bother?  Mostly to vent of steam, but also to remind you of the terrible OS under which you toil.  Windows 7 is nothing more than an upgraded prison.

Even though there is not a single computer in my home that runs Microsoft software on a regular basis, I encountered two Microsoft-created demons in the same day.

The first popped up when I had to reboot into Windows to watch CBS online.  Of course I used Firefox; I know better than to trust Internet Explorer, that slutty browser who's more permissive than Jenna Jameson.

Getting my TV shows online is fun, but certain companies annoy me.  It all boils down to the different kinds of free.

Anyone who uses Linux is familiar with the two kinds of free.  There's "free as in free beer," and "free as in freedom."  The truth is you, dear reader, already use both kinds of software, you just don't realize it.

As a man of faith, it has always bothered me that religion is generally seen as anti-gay.  This further plays into the Republicans' strategy of polarizing America; if religion is anti-gay, then gays will become anti-religion.  I've seen plenty of anti-religion posters at anti-Prop 8 rallies and it saddens me.  That's why this speech resonates for me.

Edit: Here is a link to Bishop Flunder's church.

Yeah, I got bronchitis.  "Souvenir" was the cleverest thing I could think of to say.

Other than that, it's great to be home again.  The drive up was very pleasant; our new car is very comfortable and the miles seemed to melt away.  (The XM radio sure didn't hurt either.)  Now I'm just trying to take it easy and recuperate, although "taking it easy" for Stay At Home Daddy still means changing and feeding the family, dishes, laundry, bills, etc.  Sigh.

Baby Einstein: Meh

Experts don't like Baby Einstein.  I know parents who swear by it, but the reason child development experts don't is because you're not supposed to be plugging your kid into the TV, no matter how sophisticated it is.  During his formative years, your kid needs to be doing things interactively.  No matter how awesome the Baby Einstein video is, it's not interactive and therefore takes time away from something better.  For these reasons, I never allowed Baby Einstein into the house.

Until now.

Ah, San Diego.  After the frigid north, I can't tell you how nice it was to be in a place where you could go outside with wet hair and not get a cold.  (I caught the cold in Edmonton and it's been following me halfway around the continent.  I'm mostly better but can't seem to shake this dry cough.  That's what happens when Daddy doesn't get a break.)

We went through US customs in Vancouver.  When we entered Canada, Sarah and I showed our Canadian birth certificates. When we re-entered the US, the whole family showed our American passports.  I got the guy to stamp Nathan's passport; he is now a very well-traveled Bean.

After Edmonton, our multi-city tour took on a whirlwind aspect and I haven't had a chance to update until today - more than a week later.  There is other news, but I'll try to do it in chronological order.

We've made it to the first leg of our grand vacation.  First stop: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  City of Champions, home of the greatest hockey team that ever was, home to the largest mall and largest indoor amusement park in the world, and my birthplace.