Acacia Update: She is still in the ICU. She has pneumonia, again, and a staph infection. Even with that she continues to make strides. There seems to be a lot of errors being made by burses and doctors. For example, she was very anemic and the doctors decided to give her a transfusion. They pushed too much blood. Her lungs continue to be flled with fluids, extra blood in the body apparently was very bad. It reminds me of a House episode. It seems no one has a playbook and they just keep trying new things. I am trying to stay positive but the more that she stays in the hospital, nevermind the ICU, the more I am afraid she is not getting through this. A few of you have asked me for how to help. You can visit her dad's site.

The Festivus miracle came early this year. I have received my big Festivus present, a 160GB iPod. My previous 40GB iPod could no longer hold a charge and was already full. I have synched it to my iTunes and I still have loads of room. I mentioned this to the girl who said, "now you have tons of space for your Suicide Girls pictures." My big smile and nodding was received by a punch in the arm and a shake of her head.

Speaking of Festivus, I am getting my list of grievances ready and working out to be ready for the feats of strength. I cannot wait! I will post the list of grievances next week.

This year I have resolved to run outside in the winter. Every year I say that and give up, putting in too much time at the gym running on treadmills like some sort of hamster. So yesterday in the snow and 30 degree weather I went out for a run armed with my camera, as I had promised Anjuli. Unfortunately, the batteries had died and I was not even able to get one shot. I will go out again today, take some pictures and post them in the coming days, so you can see some of the sights on my usual run. I am hoping this is my last winter here, so I better enjoy it. Keeping that in mind, I had a fantastic run.

One last note to litlin74, congratulations. I am over the moon with the news!