Why are we happy?

Interesting little 20-minute video about simulating happiness.

Week in Review

We've been real busy with so many things going on lately. The blog should be a chronicle of what's happening in our lives, but somehow our lives got so busy that the blog got left behind. This last week has been full and exciting.

Last Friday was opening night for Caroline or Change at Workshop Theatre. Jeni is the co-producer of the play, as well as doing props and stepping in to help stage manage when necessary.


Here's a shot from after opening night of Jeni with Caroline (the musical director) and Jocelyn (the director) Jocelyn (the lead, Caroline), LaToya (the radio), Jeni, and Anna (grandma). We have more pictures from the show, and afterward, on Flickr. The show has been a fun experience for Jeni, but very exhausting and time-consuming, too. Jeni may have to step in and help stage manage this weekend, which may interrupt our plans to visit with Lisa for her birthday.

On Tuesday, I donated some blood -- seven vials, to be exact -- for genetic testing. Back in 1998 Jeni and I registered with the National Bone Marrow Program as possible donors. There was someone in Davenport who was in need. We weren't a match -- didn't really expect to be, honestly. But then last week, 11 years later, we got a phone call. Apparently, I might be a match for a five-year-old boy. So they're doing some more specific testing of certain genetic markers (there's a pdf here, if you are really curious). So I guess it's wait and see time, now. It's pretty humbling to get a call like that.

Last night, Jeni, Tiff and I went to see Coraline while it is still in 3D. I really wanted to see it in the theatre to experience the "Real3D" effect. It was pretty cool. I was really impressed with the movie. I'm glad the Jonas Brothers Movie tanked so we got a second chance to see Coraline (since there are only so many 3D screens to go around ... Monsters vs Aliens takes over tomorrow). If you go see Coraline tonight (and you should) sit through to the very end of the credits for the best 3D effect of the whole movie. I think at that point they were just showing off.


Here I am with buttons for eyes ... I always felt this picture of me was a little creepy before the buttons, but the buttons sure make a difference. You can trade your eyes for buttons, too, here.

So I guess this was a Caroline/Coraline themed week.

I'm going to try to keep the updates more regular. I still owe a post about Gracie and Clara Ann's birthday party, too.

Mars rovers five years later

I can't believe it was five years ago that the Mars rovers landed and sent back the images from Mars. They were intended for a three-month mission, but are still working five years later, sending back data. I guess no Martians or Transformers have destroyed then yet...

Good for a laugh

OK, I found some websites that will give you a few laughs, and help waste some time.

Gyllenhaal Nation
F*** Yeah! Ryan Gosling
The F*** Yeah! Anne Hathaway ones aren't as funny, except this one (but maybe it's just funny to me).

Yes, this is what I do when I don't have enough time to do real work while waiting for patients to come back after checking in ... I go to random websites. OK, back to work now...

Caroline or Change

Jeni has spent the last few months working as the co-producer for Caroline or Change at Workshop Theatre. Opening night was last Friday, and it went very well. It was so nice to be able to sit and see all the hard work from everyone involved come together into a wonderful show. Jeni posted some pictures on Flickr today. I'll leave it to Jeni to write about the experience of producing a play. I know it was hard work, and rewarding work. I'm very proud of her -- she helped create something memorable.

Cool stamps

Stamps in the United States can be so mundane. We don't get mythical creatures stamps like in the UK. (Well, OK, I guess we did get Star Wars stamps...)

Latest home project -- dining room light

We've been doing a few projects around the house with Spring coming along soon. Last weekend we finally hung the new light fixture in the dining room. We ordered the light, but one of the support arms was broken, so we re-ordered it and they sent the wrong size. Third try was a charm (except for the piece they forgot, but had on the first one and it worked). So finally we got a chance to hang the light.


This was the original pseudo-brass light fixture. Not our favorite, and not really fitting the room.


This is the new one. Much more dramatic and appropriate for the space. This is the fourth lighting change we've done. I still have a healthy respect for electricity, but I'm getting more confident.

Betsey and Victor make the blog!

Last weekend we were lucky enough to be able to go over to Sunset Beach and visit with Betsey and Victor. They had come down (over?) to see Linda and Vic and invited us to join them. It was a blast -- and we all hurt from laughing so much. It is such a joy to have people in your life that you can be away from for so long, and then just step right into the room and not miss a beat. And a rare moment to get together with them all.


Here's Jeni with Victor and Betsey on Friday night. I think they were up until almost 3:00 a.m. talking and laughing and catching up.


The plan was to come home Saturday, but we were having too much fun. Saturday night, we all sat around playing cards and cutting up some more. Roger, Jeni and Betsey all posed here late in the night. I think we were keeping Victor awake at this point.


We can't thank Linda and Vic enough for thinking of us and inviting us to come and join in the fun. It had been too long, for sure.

Be sure to check our Flickr for pictures of their great dogs.