Yesterday I had a nice conversation with fellow tech-geek, Disney park enthusiast and musician Mike of Sparkle*Jets UK. I realized that many of you, sadly, have probably never heard their music. That, I’m afraid, is a shame. Bamboo Lounge is a fine CD that you should check out. One spin of “Sorry” or “So Gone” will each give you at least seventeen reasons why you should listen to this disc. Sparkling (no pun intended) harmonies, killer guitar work, sly lyrics, nice bass and one hell of a female lead vocal on several tracks are just a few of the reasons to check them out. Either visit their website or check out their samples on MP3.com. It’s good stuff. And if you don’t think so, there’s something seriously wrong with you. Really. You should get yourself checked. Maybe even “Consult Your Physician.”

Besides, can you beat a song entitled “Surfing Monkeys”?

On the home front, there isn’t a lot going on. It’s raining. I’m still obsessed with physics and am struggling to pick up some of the math required to understand some of the concepts. I’ve been listening to the Feynman lectures on physics and reading some of his theoretical work. It’s difficult stuff but . . . compelling at the same time. I know I’ll have to move on to other scientists and other work at some time but Feynman’s lust for life and the thrill he gets from discussing the mere interaction between electrons. Amazing. I can’t muster that sort of passion for anything. What a brilliant bastard.

Sorry, I’ve been obsessed. I’ll move on to something eventually. I assume I will, at least. Maybe. We’ll see. I think. How silly it must seem for a man my age to be obsessed with an area of science that takes decades to fully understand. But, as a layperson I have to say, it’s exciting. The universe is beautiful in so many ways that we can’t see. It’s exhilarating to find a new layer to peel away and see something that you couldn’t before.

Well, I don’t have anything profound to say today. Nor anything exciting to talk about. I don’t even have any jokes to crack.

I think it’s too rainy and glum outside to feel like joking. I think I’ll just allow the gray day wrap itself around me and allow me to brood over things. Perhaps.

Gertrude’s first birthday is coming up. Family, be prepared for a party. If Gert isn’t the cutest baby you’ve ever seen, then you haven’t looked very hard.

The kid’s a comedian of the truest form. She’ll do anything for a laugh. Wiggle, giggle and jiggle. She’s a daredevil, an inquisitive little soul. She’s curious, sweet and loving. Everything you could ever want in a child.

Just this morning she ran up behind her nascent skater sister and gave her a big morning hug. It was cute.

And her sister’s no slouch herself. Yesterday her friend was handing out candy. She came inside and said, “I have a surprise for you. Guess which hand its in.” I did. And it was revealed to be in her right hand. It was a package of bottlecaps. I think I mentioned once that as a child these were my favorite candies. And when offered any piece of candy she could choose, this is what she chose.

And she gave it to me.