As usual, it’s been a long time since my last post. I’ve got a lot saved up… But as usual, I don’t have time to compose a long post right now. But it’s my birthday, so I had to get *something* in. I’ll try to get more in over the weekend… But for now, to all the folks who wrote on my Facebook wall, or sent me a Twitter direct message, or an e-card (BTW, you people really know how this computer geeks like to get his birthday e-messages, don’t you?), THANK YOU for that. I’ve been fairly anti-birthday for most of my life, and I may finally be coming around to the idea of an annual dose of unearned kindness coming my way.

I also bought myself a present. It’s not here yet, though (should arrive Monday), so I’ll keep it a secret until then. It’s not a puppy. Nor is it a baby pygmy hippopotamus. But you *can* squeeze it.